In the world of sports, few things sting as much as watching a beloved athlete leave the team they helped define.
Whether through trades, free agency, or unexpected departures, these moves have left fans devastated. Here are 15 athletes whose exits broke the hearts of their loyal supporters—including the shocking departure of Luka Dončić from Dallas to Los Angeles.
1. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts → Denver Broncos, 2012)
Peyton Manning wasn’t just the Colts’ quarterback—he was their identity. When Indianapolis released him after neck surgery, fans were devastated. While he found success in Denver, it never felt right seeing him in anything other than a Colts uniform.
2. Brett Favre (Green Bay Packers → New York Jets → Minnesota Vikings, 2008-2010)
Favre’s messy breakup with the Packers and eventual move to the rival Vikings was a gut punch for Green Bay fans. Watching him play against the team he led for 16 seasons was almost unbearable.
3. Shaquille O’Neal (Los Angeles Lakers → Miami Heat, 2004)
Shaq and Kobe’s dynamic duo defined an era of Lakers basketball. But after tensions boiled over, Shaq was traded to Miami, leaving Lakers fans mourning the end of a dominant championship run.
4. Ichiro Suzuki (Seattle Mariners → New York Yankees, 2012)
Ichiro was a Seattle legend, so when he was traded to the Yankees, Mariners fans were heartbroken. He had been the face of the franchise for over a decade, and his departure marked the end of an era.
5. LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers → Miami Heat, 2010)
“The Decision” changed everything. When LeBron James announced he was taking his talents to South Beach, Cavaliers fans burned jerseys and felt betrayed. Though he eventually returned and won Cleveland a championship, the pain of that first departure still lingers.
6. Tom Brady (New England Patriots → Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2020)
After two decades and six Super Bowls, Tom Brady’s decision to leave New England for Tampa Bay felt surreal. Patriots fans weren’t just losing a quarterback—they were losing an icon. Watching him win another Super Bowl with the Bucs only added to the heartbreak.
7. Lionel Messi (Barcelona → Paris Saint-Germain, 2021)
Messi was synonymous with Barcelona. His tearful farewell in 2021 shattered fans, as financial troubles forced the club to part ways with their greatest player. Seeing him wear another jersey after 21 years in Catalonia was almost unimaginable.
8. Derek Jeter (Retirement from the New York Yankees, 2014)
Some departures aren’t due to trades or free agency—some just hurt because they mean the end of an era. Derek Jeter’s retirement after 20 years with the Yankees left fans in tears, knowing they’d never see No. 2 step up to the plate again.
9. Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers → Los Angeles Kings, 1988)
The day Wayne Gretzky was traded from the Oilers is still one of the most shocking moments in sports history. After leading Edmonton to four Stanley Cups, seeing him in a Kings jersey was heartbreaking for Canadian hockey fans.
10. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid → Juventus, 2018)
Ronaldo’s move to Juventus shocked Real Madrid fans, ending an incredible era of dominance. Though he left on good terms, his departure left a void that Los Blancos struggled to fill.
11. Kawhi Leonard (Toronto Raptors → Los Angeles Clippers, 2019)
Raptors fans were still celebrating their first-ever NBA championship when Kawhi Leonard left for the Clippers. Even though he had only been in Toronto for a year, his impact was so profound that his departure left a lasting sting.
Read More: Ranking the Worst Draft Picks in the History of the NFL
12. Luka Dončić (Dallas Mavericks → Los Angeles Lakers, 2025)
In a move that sent shockwaves through the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal. Dončić, who was seen as the face of the Mavericks, had built an intense bond with the Dallas fanbase. His departure marked the end of an era, leaving fans heartbroken as he joined forces with another superstar in LA.
Read More: 20 NBA Trades That Left Fans Stunned and Speechless
13. Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks → Denver Broncos, 2022)
After a decade with the Seahawks, Russell Wilson’s trade to Denver felt like the end of a dynasty. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback was beloved in Seattle, and his departure left fans with mixed emotions.
Read More: These Cities Are Still Fuming Over Their Lost Pro Sports Teams
14. Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals → Los Angeles Angels, 2012)
Pujols leaving St. Louis for the Angels was a tough pill to swallow. He had been the heart and soul of the Cardinals, and his exit marked the end of a golden era for the team.
Read More: The 18 Most Questionable Trades in Sports History
15. Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder → Golden State Warriors, 2016)
Durant’s decision to join the Warriors after OKC had just blown a 3-1 lead to them in the playoffs felt like a betrayal to Thunder fans. His departure ended what many hoped would be a championship run for the small-market team.
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