5 NFL players universally disliked by fans feat. Vontaze Burfict
The NFL is a league that relies on fan interaction as much as quality output on the field.
Over the years, the importance of players connecting with fans has grown exponentially. However, not every individual is as easily liked as others.
There are those who are loved by all, players like Patrick Mahomes who just exude professionalism, talent, and youthful energy.
However, some players find it harder to connect with fans, not least because of their actions on and off the field. It is, though, rare for almost all NFL fans to dislike an individual, but it isn’t impossible.
There have been cases where a player has behaved so badly on a consistent basis that fans have lost patience with and trust in him completely. Here are five such players.
#1 – Richie Incognito
There has been a certain amount of rehabilitation for Incognito amongst NFL fans, however he was exceedingly unpopular earlier in his career.
While among the premier offensive linemen in the NFL in his day, Incognito has been dogged for his part in the bullying scandal that rocked the league in 2013.
Incognito was accused of harassing teammate Jonathan Martin, with Martin fearing reprisals from Incognito should he ever speak out about his treatment of him.
Incognito had previously been reprimanded within the Miami Dolphins organization for how he treated staff members. He was alleged to have sent threatening and racist text messages to Martin.
Miami suspended Incognito after a voice clip was released which proved he was guilty of using racist language and threatening both Martin and his family members.
His reputation within the NFL has gotten worse over the years, with other players accusing him of playing dirty. Incognito was accused of gouging eyes, punching players, and making illegal late hits on a regular basis.
He was voted the 'Dirtiest Player in the League' in a Sporting News poll in 2009.
#2 – Antonio Brown
Antonio Brown has virtually torpedoed his own reputation within the NFL through his own actions.
It may feel slightly unfair to put the blame on him entirely, but it’s difficult to find evidence which doesn’t indicate as much.
He was so well liked during his Pittsburgh Steelers career as he was a dynamic, powerful, and successful wide receiver who outperformed his sixth-round draft spot in spectacular fashion.
It all started to go downhill when he got agitated in Pittsburgh. He wanted more money and he sunk all his relationships in the Steel City to get it.
Sincerely AB https://t.co/O6mjJXOaHQ
After burning bridges with the Steelers, Brown eventually got his trade to the Raiders and his behavior immediately went off the rails. From a frostbite injury on his toe, right through to refusing to practice with the Raiders, Brown signed a lucrative deal but didn’t even make it to the start of the season before he was cut.
NFL fans couldn’t understand a player costing himself money that they would have done anything to have, for matters as small as a helmet manufacturer.
What followed were criminal accusations of sexual assault against Brown, and this cut short his stay in New England to just two weeks.
He was finally able to steady himself in Tampa Bay, winning a Super Bowl before refusing to go onto the field in a game against the Jets. He subsequently took off his jersey and ran off the field towards the locker room as the game went on.