Most Self-Destructive Players Ever

[flaccopoe]

Having read about several people who destroyed their own destinies, I thought I'd compile a list of NFL players that fit this somber category to serve as a reminder the importance of staying on the right path.  My list would be:

 

1. Jovan Belcher (self-explanatory)

 

2. Rae Carruth (self-explanatory)

 

3. Aaron Hernandez: even though he is still considered innocent in the court of law, he is still condemned by the court of public opinion and will never play in the NFL again, despite having had a very long career ahead of him.

 

4. Ryan Leaf: the #2 Pick in the '98 Draft; would have been the #1 Pick if IND hadn't doubted his character.  This would prove wise, as Leaf's infinite ego and horrible work ethic railroaded him.

 

5. Pacman Jones: one of the most talented CBs and kick returners of his day threw away his career after several violent incidents at adult nightclubs got him suspended 22 games between '07-'08.

 

Runner-Up. Vince Young: like Leaf, another highly touted college QB who lacked the maturity, humility and work ethic to succeed in the NFL

 

Feel free to list any other players.  Please don't go into detail about the nature of relative evil of any crimes of players haunted by criminal tendencies, that's not why I made this thread.  This isn't about weighing Crime A with Crime B, this is about weighing the potential of promising players with the degree to which they hurt their careers, hence why I avoided listing obscure players.

 

 

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Having read about several people who destroyed their own destinies, I thought I'd compile a list of NFL players that fit this somber category to serve as a reminder the importance of staying on the right path. My list would be:

1. Jovan Belcher (self-explanatory)

2. Rae Carruth (self-explanatory)

3. Aaron Hernandez: even though he is still considered innocent in the court of law, he is still condemned by the court of public opinion and will never play in the NFL again, despite having had a very long career ahead of him.

4. Ryan Leaf: the #2 Pick in the '98 Draft; would have been the #1 Pick if IND hadn't doubted his character. This would prove wise, as Leaf's infinite ego and horrible work ethic railroaded him.

5. Pacman Jones: one of the most talented CBs and kick returners of his day threw away his career after several violent incidents at adult nightclubs got him suspended 22 games between '07-'08.

Runner-Up. Vince Young: like Leaf, another highly touted college QB who lacked the maturity, humility and work ethic to succeed in the NFL

Feel free to list any other players. Please don't go into detail about the nature of relative evil of any crimes of players haunted by criminal tendencies, that's not why I made this thread. This isn't about weighing Crime A with Crime B, this is about weighing the potential of promising players with the degree to which they hurt their careers, hence why I avoided listing obscure players.

Maurice Clarrett.

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

Jamarcus Russel?

[hawkprey]

Apparently Von Miller soon too.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Plaxico & Vick.

[Cville-Raven]

Demetrius Underwood-only first round pick ever that I can think of that was cut before his rookie season

[T3hRaven]

I have a feeling we'll be adding Johnny Manziel to this list in a few years.

[berad]

Titus Young

[flaccopoe]

Jamarcus Russel?

 

Good one.  A highly athletic #1 overall pick QB that got derailed by a combination of poor work ethic, mediocrity and drug use, similar to Ryan Leaf.  It didn't help that he was playing for Tom Cable, of all coaches.

[flaccopoe]

Demetrius Underwood-only first round pick ever that I can think of that was cut before his rookie season

 

That was probably the most reckless 1st round pick ever.  It was well known that he was suffering from a serious mental illness.

[H8R]

Demetrius Underwood-only first round pick ever that I can think of that was cut before his rookie season

He wasn't cut... he walked out of training camp

[H8R]

Marcus Vick

[bpytnjr58]

Apparently Von Miller soon too.

I agree....He has surprised me...It is like there is some epidemic on stupidity going around the NFL.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

The Boz

[Gordo52]

T.O. Had a great career, but you have to wonder what could've been if he didn't have such a loud mouth and acted so selfishly.

[H8R]

Ryan Leaf.

[easternshore97]

You can't leave One Clap off the list. I used to go to bat for him all the time until his 2nd stint in Minnesota on the Monday Night game where Brett Favre throws a very catchable ball that he doesn't even make an attempt for. And maybe it wasn't as catchable, but he made 0 attempt at it. Just overall bad attitude. Great players with bad attitudes are a whole lot worse than any other type of combination ever

[flaccopoe]

Ryan Leaf.

 

I already posted him! :p

[Cville-Raven]

He wasn't cut... he walked out of training camp

No they did actually release him being that he signed a 5 year deal. Yes, he did walk away but they still had to release him.

[cursona pirate]

Me. :( I left football cause i was Bullied to much when I was 10 years old.

[beanfigger]

Crazy talented Ricky Williams lost YEARS of his promising career for weed...weed!

[flaccopoe]

Me. :( I left football cause i was Bullied to much when I was 10 years old.

 

As much as sympathize with your childhood trauma, this is solely for NFL players.

[Cville-Raven]

That was probably the most reckless 1st round pick ever. It was well known that he was suffering from a serious mental illness.

You can say that again. He spent more time writing about the apocalypse than actually playing football.

[YYZ66]

The Boz

 

That's who I was gonna mention.

Was it Bo Jackson that ran him over in that Monday night game?

[The Oakland Cathedral]

That's who I was gonna mention.
Was it Bo Jackson that ran him over in that Monday night game?

Yes it was lol!

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Crazy talented Ricky Williams lost YEARS of his promising career for weed...weed!

He was my favorite player for a long time so it really hurt to see him damage his career. He should have easily been a HOF'er with his ability.

[flaccopoe]

He was my favorite player for a long time so it really hurt to see him damage his career. He should have easily been a HOF'er with his ability.

 

He's probably still MIA's greatest RB ever.

[MissK528]

Can't believe no one has said Todd Marinovich. 

[Cville-Raven]

Can't believe no one has said Todd Marinovich. 

Drug problem aside, I think his father greatly influenced his failure. 

[MissK528]

Drug problem aside, I think his father greatly influenced his failure. 

 

Agreed. I have to wonder if he would even have the drug problem if it hadn't been for his upbringing...