Some players forget and move on, letting the past fade into the background. Others remember everything—every slight, every setback, every motivation—and carry it with them like fuel.
Whether it was a personal slight, a bad trade, or a media snub, these NFL stars took things personally—and never let it go. From cold shoulders to revenge performances, here are 19 players who clung to a grudge like it was laminated on the sidelines.
19. Eli Manning
Eli didn’t just avoid playing in San Diego—he nixed it altogether. Refusing to suit up for the Chargers on draft day was one of the most quietly savage moves in NFL history.
18. Terrell Suggs
Suggs kept a mental hit list, and Tom Brady was always near the top. He made it a personal mission to harass Brady every time they met.
17. Hines Ward
Ward never forgot a cheap shot—or a lack of respect. He’d smile in your face and then crack you on the next play, all while remembering exactly who wronged him.
16. Steve Smith Sr.
If you crossed Steve Smith, he never forgot—and never forgave. He even once said, “Put your goggles on ’cause there’s gonna be blood and guts everywhere.”
15. Bart Scott
Bart Scott’s rage wasn’t just loud—it was targeted. From the “Can’t wait!” moment to long-running beefs, he carried slights with him like pre-game notes.
14. Jay Cutler
Cutler’s icy demeanor wasn’t just a vibe—it was personal. Whether it was a coach, a former teammate, or even the media, he often acted like he had a permanent chip on his shoulder.
13. Randy Moss
If you disrespected Randy, he made you pay—immediately and loudly. He held onto criticism like a grudge-fueled wideout gunning for revenge touchdowns.
12. Cam Newton
Cam heard everything—critics, haters, doubters—and he stored it deep. His grudge game was cloaked in dabs and fashion, but it ran hot underneath.
11. Aqib Talib
Talib’s list of personal beefs could fill a season’s worth of highlight reels. Whether it was snatching chains or clashing with QBs, he played with receipts.
10. DeAngelo Hall
Hall didn’t just compete—he targeted. Any player who embarrassed him, even once, was guaranteed to face an aggressive, pride-fueled rematch.
9. Richard Sherman
Sherman weaponized his memory. He could name every receiver, coach, or analyst who ever slighted him—and he made sure they remembered him, too.
8. Le’Veon Bell
Bell sat out an entire season due to a contract dispute and never let go of how Pittsburgh handled it. Every tweet and interview afterward came with a not-so-subtle reminder.
7. Rodney Harrison
Harrison didn’t play dirty to win—sometimes it felt personal. His fierce grudge energy made every tackle feel like payback for some old insult.
6. Jalen Ramsey
Ramsey’s grudge game is elite and well-documented. From trash talk to public callouts, he carries beef like it’s part of his warmup routine.
5. Brett Favre
Favre didn’t just want to keep playing—he wanted revenge. Especially on the Packers, who watched helplessly as he torched them in a Vikings jersey.
4. James Harrison
Every missed accolade or perceived slight fueled Harrison’s fury. His grudges ran deep, and he hit like he was settling old scores.
3. Michael Thomas
Thomas thrives on disrespect. He’s kept receipts on critics, analysts, and even teammates—and never hesitates to remind them when he proves them wrong.
Read More: 15 Quarterbacks Who Took Their Grudges Public After Leaving
2. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers never forgets—not draft snubs, media jabs, or front office beef. His entire career has been one long, efficient, grudge-fueled revenge tour.
Read More: 20 NFL Stars Who Held Onto a Grudge Like It Was a Super Bowl Ring
1. Tom Brady
No one held a grudge quite like Brady. He turned every doubt, slight, and whisper into fuel for his relentless domination—and made sure you knew he remembered.
Read More: 20 NFL Players Who Took Every Slight Personally
