Sports stars can have their careers ruined in a variety of ways, and their downfalls are often depressing. From the NFL to Australian rugby, there are many stories of athletes who became role models but ended in tragedy. One of the platforms that helps sports fans stay updated and engage in the world of sports is JILIPARK, an online casino platform that also offers a sports gaming experience. Here are ten notable examples of sports stars who tragically ruined their careers.
10 Sports Stars Who Ruined Their Careers
1. Aaron Hernandez – NFL
One of the darkest stories on this list is that of Aaron Hernandez. As a tight end for the New England Patriots, he had a promising career after being drafted in 2010. However, in 2013, he was arrested and charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole. In addition, he was also accused of double murder but was acquitted in 2017. His tragedy ended on April 19, 2017, when he was found to have committed suicide in his cell.
2. Oscar Pistorius – Athletics
This has been made possible because Oscar Pistorius has been considered an inspiration around the world because of his achievements as an athlete. He was the first person with an amputation to ever run in the Olympics. However, in 2013 saw, the man was arrested for shooting his girlfriend. He said he thought he was a thief, but the judge did not believe him for that. Initially, he was given a lighter punishment – 5 years probation, but after being convicted again, it was increased to 13 years, which means Douglas can apply for parole in 2023.
3. Johnny Manziel – NFL
Johnny Manziel, known as “Johnny Football,” is an example of what happens when an athlete does not take his sport seriously. After one season with the Cleveland Browns in 2014-15, he never returned to the NFL. Manziel’s problem? His personal discipline. He has had many controversies, including a domestic violence incident in 2016 that led to his dismissal from the team.
4. Ryan Lochte – Swimming
Ryan Lochte won multiple gold medals in four consecutive Olympics from 2004 to 2016. However, his career has been marred by several controversies, including an incident at the Rio Olympics, where he claimed he was robbed, which was later proven to be a lie. Additionally, he received a 14-month suspension in 2018 for using a “prohibited intravenous infusion.” Despite his success, his bad decisions affected his legacy in sports.
5. Tonya Harding – Figure Skating
Tonya Harding is a famous figure skater, and the movie inspired by her life was I, Tonya. Some of her accomplishments include US Champion titles in the years 1991 and 1994. In 1994, she developed some problems with the law when her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, attacked her rival, Nancy Kerrigan. Harding was convicted on the conspiracy charge and was also banned from life in the US Figure Skating Association.
6. Lamar Odom – NBA
Lamar Odom, aged 33 and a two-time NBA champion, has a very famous image, as some may call it, hen it comes to basketball and scandals. He was discovered unconscious at a brothel in Nevada in 2015 after taking cocaine. This incident brought his NBA career to an end. Odom confessed that it was due to drugs that his career was cut short earlier than expected.
7. Ray Rice – NFL
Ray Rice is an NFL star who was a running back for the Baltimore Ravens and won the Super Bowl in 2013. But in 2014, the video of him attacking his fiancée in a hotel elevator was revealed to the public. After being accused, he was suspended by the NFL, and after that, he was released by the Ravens. Incorrigible, despite later acquittal, he never resumed his football career in the NFL.
8. Michael Vick – NFL
Michael Vick is an up-and-coming quarterback who was on the Atlanta Falcons. But he has been in one controversy or the other, such as possession of marijuana in his car, and was also found in a dog fighting ring. After that, he was jailed, and then he was back in the NFL again, but he will never be that same player again.
9. Paul Gascoigne – Soccer
Paul Gascoigne, or “Gazza,” was one of the best soccer players of his era. However, his career was affected by his alcohol problem. In 1998, he entered rehab, and since then, his mental health has been the subject of tabloid news. Many wonder how far he would have gone if he hadn’t gotten into trouble.
10. Israel Folau – Rugby
Israel Folau is a rugby player from Australia who has become one of the best of his generation. However, he was sacked from Rugby Australia in 2019 due to his unaesthetic position on homosexuals. He recently won a settlement case. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to return to the height of his career.
Conclusion
Sports provide inspiration and solace to many people, but these stories show how a wrong decision can ruin a promising career. Despite initial success, talent is only guaranteed with proper discipline and appreciation of opportunities. In the world of online sports, as in JILI 178, we can share and follow the successes and failures of our favorite athletes. May these stories serve as lessons for every aspiring sports star.
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