Introduction
In the US, college football has a status beyond that of *sport*. It is an emotional roller coaster for fans, the passion and tradition of college football including fierce rivalries. But with that loyalty comes passionate hatred of certain players. Therefore, today we are going to take a look at the 10 most hated players in college football history-which is why they were also so darn fun.
The Nature of Hate in Sports
So how do players become the bad guys of college football? It is usually a mixture of the way their behavior, rivalry victories and media makes them out to be. Being extremely good at what they do, however, can be a double edged sword and if players exhibit arrogance or controversy then the hatred will swiftly follow. Worse yet, bitter rivalries and important games only intensify the hate.
Johnny Manziel
- Johnny Manziel: ZUMAPRESS Johnny Manziel, known as “Johnny Football,” was a former star quarterback at Texas A&M. His playmaking as a freshman in 2012 won him the Heisman Trophy.
- Why He’s Hated Manziel was seemingly hated from the start with his off-field antics including partying and general douche-baggery. His on-field antics and interpreted cockiness also did not help the perception of him .A Deep Dive into Infamy: College Football’s 10 Most Hated Players of All Time.
- Famous For Manziel was surrounded both in person and the media with controversy, he got himself under negative scrutiny due to autograph-signing scandals that hit him as well many waiting for his downfall fueled by fans alike who would ring-can with abuse.
Tim Tebow
Vince Young, Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow all are multiple-time national champions or Heisman Trophy winners. His devout Christian faith and clean-cut image made him a lightning rod.
Polarizing Personality and Media CoverageTebroning A large number of followers saw Tim Tebow as nothing more than a media-hyped celebrity with an overt display of faith that was insincere.
The Fan Resentment While many admired Tebow’s values and leadership, others found him too sanctimonious for their tastes – over hyped by the media.
Jameis Winston
Career Background and Highlights Jameis Winston led Florida State to a national championship in addition to bringing home the Heisman Trophy. His skill on the field was undeniable
Jimbo Fisher, while guiding FSU and Winston to a national championship. >> Legal issues and controversies During his time at Florida State, Winston was accused of sexual assault on multiple occasions; in each case the charges were dropped or he wasn’t charged with anything.
Public Perception Impact For a part of the public, his somewhat arrogant attitude combined with these incidents made him one of college football’s biggest villains.
Maurice Clarett
Background and Career Highlights A vital member of Ohio State’s 2002 national championship, Maurice Clarett had a cup-of-coffee NFL career. Off-field issues overshadowed his talent.
Clarett’s career was spiraling out of control with legal problems, including facing robbery charges and found guilty of violating NCAA regulations as reason for Clarett being dismissed from the team.
How the public and fans responded Fans once admired him, but later saw he was nothing more than a man plagued by legal and disciplinary issues who only spoiled his legacy.A Deep Dive into Infamy: College Football’s 10 Most Hated Players of All Time.
Brian Bosworth
- Brian Bosworth Background & Career Highlights Brian “The Boz” Bosworth was a two-time consensus All-American linebacker for the Oklahoma Sooners. Two-time Butkus Award winner
- Image: Outspoken Personality and On-Field Antics Bosworth was known for his colorful personality — as well as controversial statements. His flamboyant style and brash demeanour made him a hate figure.
- Why Ever the Notoriety His fight with then-NCAA for steroid charges, and his larger than life portrayal in college football.
Terrelle Pryor
Terrelle Pryor Background and Career Highlights Terrelle Pryor was a standout quarterback at Ohio State. He excelled as a dual-threat playmaker.
Scandals and Controversies Pryor was a part of a memorabilia-for-cash scandal that ultimately led to NCAA violations against Ohio State, along with but not limited to his premature exit from the school.
Ohio State University falloutThe scandal was a black eye on Ohio State’s reputation and resulted in major sanctions; this led to Pryor being booed by fans.
Cam Newton
Background and Career Highlights Cam Newton, The Heisman Trophy winner also helped lead Auburn to a national title. This or that very talented guy whose talent was only half the story with all of his controversies.
Pay-for-Play Scandal Newton was accused of his father trying to get paid for Newton’s commitment to play college ball, calling into question everything he had achieved.
Why fans love/hate Newton Yes, he’s a good quarterback — but the scandal and his bravado leave some people torn
Christian Laettner
Background and Career Highlights Most famous for basketball, Christian Laettner made a significant mark on the American sports landscape during his time at Duke.
The Shot and Duke Dominance Laettner is best known for The Shot, a game-winning buzzer-beater in the 1992 NCAA Tournament against Kentucky that has also led to widespread hatred toward him.
Why He’s Hated Beyond Basketball His elite confidence and the success of Duke under his leadership made him absolutely loathed by most college sports fans.
Bo Jackson
High School and College Career Highlights Bo Jackson starred in both football and baseball at Auburn. His athleticism was on another level.
Jacksons played two major sports to great heights, but his swagger others thought was just plain cock-you know. His dual-sport success stirred envy for some and dislike in general.
Jackson’s ascendency and spotlight drew a love-hate relationship among some fans, who loved him or hated that he was so high-profile.
Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush / Background And Career Highlights Certainly a top-2 Running Back to come out of USC .The NCAA and the Heisman Trophy ScandalBush was under investigation by the NCAA due to receiving lavish goods while playing at USC as well his family living rent-free in a home owned by an agent who represented him.The scandal and subsequent penalties certainly left a bitter taste in the mouths of many around USC, marking Bush’s dominator legacy with an asterisk.
Manti Te’o
The songBackground and Career Highlights Manti Te’o was a legendary linebacker at Notre Dame who, in addition to what many consider the best fanfiction tale ever told.
In a Catfishing Hoax He was the victim of probably one of the most famous catfishing pranks in history, and thus became somewhat synonymous with it almost instantly.
The Absurdity Of The Scandal & Its Timing, It Came During His Heisman Run Thus Making Him A Target For Ridicule And Criticism Yes, in the world of college football players are easy to hate for a variety reasons based on their actions and portrayal by the media-machines (and opposing fans) across landscapes full of territorial rivalries. A time, when players are despised for off-field behavior instead of on it and hated not just because of their success but also due to the arrogance that comes along with. The legacies of these men prove how passionate college football can be, and show that in the world of sports being hated is at times a sign you are doing everything right.
FAQs
There are few things more hated in college football than a player that makes you eat your words. This behaviour along with what is perceived as arrogance or controversies can severely impact on how the player is viewed by fans, particularly in relation to fierce rivalries between clubs intensified through media coverage.A Deep Dive into Infamy: College Football’s 10 Most Hated Players of All Time.
What has media coverage done to player perception?
The media has an aspect to play in bringing such matters up and that can tip the size for public opinion one of two ways, always.
