They were heroes on the field, court, or track and admired for their talent, drive, and larger-than-life moments. But behind the highlights and championship titles, some of America’s most popular athletes were hiding secrets that would shatter their legacies. When the truth came out, fans were left stunned, and sometimes outraged, by just how far these stars had fallen.
Here are 10 popular professional athletes from US sports whose dark sides shocked fans when their true actions were revealed.
10. Tonya Harding (Figure Skating)
Harding was a top US figure skater until her involvement in the attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan was revealed. She was banned from the sport and became a symbol of scandal in American athletics.
9. Ray Rice (NFL)
A star running back for the Baltimore Ravens, Rice’s career ended after a video surfaced of him assaulting his then-fiancée in an elevator, leading to public outrage and a lifetime ban from the NFL.
8. Marion Jones (Track & Field)
An Olympic hero after winning five medals in Sydney, Jones later admitted to steroid use and served prison time for lying to federal investigators, erasing her achievements and damaging her legacy.
7. Pete Rose (MLB)
Baseball’s all-time hits leader, Rose was banned from the sport for betting on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds, shattering his image as a hardworking legend.
6. Rae Carruth (NFL)
A promising wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, Carruth was convicted for orchestrating the murder of his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams, in a plot to avoid child support.
5. Michael Vick (NFL)
Vick was a star quarterback until his involvement in a brutal dogfighting ring was uncovered. He served prison time for animal cruelty, shocking fans who had admired his athletic ability.
4. Lance Armstrong (Cycling)
Armstrong was celebrated for his Tour de France victories and cancer survival, but his reputation collapsed after it was revealed he led an elaborate doping scheme, bullying and threatening those who tried to expose him.
3. Mike Tyson (Boxing)
The former heavyweight champion was idolized for his boxing prowess but became notorious for his 1992 rape conviction and his violent behavior, including biting off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear during a match.
2. Aaron Hernandez (NFL)
A talented tight end for the New England Patriots, Hernandez’s career ended abruptly when he was charged and convicted for the murder of Odin Lloyd. He was later implicated in additional violent crimes and died by suicide in prison.
1. O.J. Simpson (NFL)
Once a beloved football star and actor, Simpson’s legacy was forever tainted after his 1994 arrest and subsequent trial for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. Though acquitted in criminal court, the case remains one of the most infamous scandals in sports history.
