14 Athletes Who Were Banned for Life

Athletes always look to bend the rules in their favor but sometimes they take it too far. Over the years, numerous athletes across various sports have faced this harsh punishment for offenses ranging from match-fixing and doping to violence and misconduct. Here are 14 athletes who were banned for life due to their actions.

Roscoe Tanner

The former Australian Open champion’s post-tennis life was marred by legal troubles, including fraud and unpaid debts. In fact, his misconduct led to a lifetime ban from professional tennis.

Ben Johnson

Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson shocked the world in 1988 when he set a new world record and won gold in the 100 meters at the Seoul Olympics. However, his glory was short-lived, as he tested positive for steroids and was banned for life.

Trevor Chappell

Under instructions from his captain and brother, cricket star Trevor Chappell bowled the final ball of a match underarm to ensure the opposing team couldn’t score the six runs needed to tie. The act wasn’t technically illegal at the time but was believed to be unsportsmanlike. Cricket authorities banned him for life, although the rule was later clarified.

John McEnroe

Known for his fiery temper, John McEnroe was temporarily banned for life from the ATP Tour in 1984 after accumulating fines and penalties for his on-court outbursts. However, the ban was lifted after a short time following his compliance with tour regulations.

Hansie Cronje

Hansie Cronje, the former South African cricket captain, was found guilty of match-fixing in 2000. In fact, he admitted to taking money from bookmakers to influence the outcome of matches and was banned for life.

Floyd Landis

Floyd Landis was initially celebrated for his dramatic comeback victory at the 2006 Tour de France, but his title was stripped after he tested positive for synthetic testosterone. He later received a lifetime ban in 2010.

Tonya Harding

Tonya Harding’s name is forever linked to one of sports’ most shocking scandals. In 1994, Harding’s ex-husband and bodyguard orchestrated an attack on her rival, Nancy Kerrigan, to hinder Kerrigan’s Olympic chances. While Harding denied involvement, she pleaded guilty to hindering the investigation and the U.S. Figure Skating Association banned her for life.

Shoeless Joe Jackson

Shoeless Joe Jackson was embroiled in the 1919 “Black Sox Scandal,” where eight Chicago White Sox players were accused of conspiring with gamblers to fix the World Series. Although Jackson maintained his innocence, Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis banned him and the others for life.

Maurice Greene

Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene was linked to doping allegations later in his career. And, though he denied direct involvement, he was handed a lifetime ban in 2008.

Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong’s legacy was changed forever in 2012 after he was found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs. He was stripped of his titles and banned for life from competitive cycling.

Asafa Powell

Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell, once a record-holder in the 100 meters, faced a lifetime ban after multiple doping violations.

Rae Carruth

Rae Carruth, a former wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, was banned from the NFL for life after being convicted of conspiring to murder his pregnant girlfriend in 1999.

Pete Rose

Pete Rose seemed destined for Hall of Fame immortality after he snagged the record for most career hits. However, in 1989, it was revealed he had gambled on games, including those involving his own team, the Cincinnati Reds, while he was a player and manager. He was banned for life, keeping him out of the Hall of Fame.

Marion Jones

Marion Jones won five Olympic medals in 2000 but was stripped of them after admitting to steroid use. Once regarded as the best female sprinter, the ban destroyed her legacy.