Controversy has always been a part of the NFL, and over the years, some of the league’s biggest stars have found themselves at the center of cheating scandals. Whether it’s bending the rules, gaining an unfair advantage, or being caught in high-profile investigations, these incidents have sparked heated debates among fans and analysts alike.
From questionable tactics on the field to off-the-field allegations, several star players have faced accusations that cast a shadow over their careers. Here’s a look at 12 NFL stars who were accused of cheating at some point during their time in the league.
Bill Romanowski
Bill Romanowski admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs after he retired from the league. This, of course, affected his legacy and tarnished what was originally believed to have been a great career.
Rodney Harrison
Rodney Harrison admitted to using human growth hormone (HGH) back in 2007. Despite explaining he used it to recover from an injury, he was still handed a four-game suspension.
Shawne Merriman
Despite being one of the most feared pass rushers in the league, Shawne Merriman’s career was affected by a four-game suspension in 2006 after he tested positive for steroids.
Richard Sherman
Richard Sherman was accused of violating the league’s drug policy back in 2012, but he successfully appealed the suspension. In fact, he proved that the drug test was improperly handled, but the allegations did affect his career for a period of time.
Sean Payton
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was a part of one of the NFL’s most notorious cheating scandals known as “Bountygate.” Back in 2012, the Saints were accused of running a program that rewarded defensive players for injuring opponents. This not only tarnished the team’s legacy but Payton was also suspended for the entire 2012 season.
Ray Lewis
Ahead of the 2013 Super Bowl, Ray Lewis was accused of using a deer antler spray that contained IGF-1, which is a banned substance. While Lewis denied the allegations and the NFL didn’t find any concrete evidence, the controversy still made headlines.
Brett Favre
Brett Favre had an incredible career, but he was accused of using a radio device to communicate with his coaches during games. The league never found conclusive evidence — so he wasn’t suspended — but it did slightly affect his reputation among certain NFL fans.
Michael Irvin
Dallas Cowboys superstar Michael Irvin was accused of using stickum, which is a banned adhesive substance, on his gloves to improve his catching. But, while the allegations were never proven, it did give non-Dallas fans a reason to boo the team.
Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick is one of the greatest coaches ever, but his legacy was slightly tainted due to the infamous “Spygate” scandal in back 2007. For those who don’t remember, the Patriots were caught filming the defensive signals of the New York Jets during a game, which violated the NFL’s rules. Belichick was fined $500,000 and the Patriots lost a first-round draft pick.
Peyton Manning
In 2015, Peyton Manning was accused of using HGH while recovering from neck surgery. However, in Manning’s defense, he denied ever using the substance.
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Brian Cushing
Former Houston Texans star Brian Cushing was suspended twice for violating the NFL’s drug policy. While he’s believed to be one of the most talented defensive players ever, these suspensions definitely hurt his legacy.
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Tom Brady
“Deflategate” captivated the league in 2015 when Tom Brady was accused of tampering with footballs during the AFC Championship Game. More specifically, Brady and the Patriots were believed to have underinflated the footballs to give the quarterback a better grip in the cold. While Brady denied any wrongdoing, he was still handed a four-game suspension.
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