Ranked: The most hated players in NFL history

The NFL is a violent league, which is something fans are reminded of on a weekly basis. There are players who cross the line that create an unsavory reputation on the field of play. There are other players who fans hate to see have any sort of success for a variety of reasons. We’ll look at the 15 most despised players in NFL history.

Gardner-Johnson once said to Sporting News, “Truthfully and honestly, I’m already hated, so I ain’t got nothing to say.” He was talking about playing his former team, the New Orleans Saints, but the disdain for him goes far beyond one NFL city. A Sporting News poll in October 2024 tabbed the defensive back as the “NFL’s most annoying player,” and it wasn’t close.

Offensive lineman usually remain, well, incognito, but Richie was anything but throughout his NFL career. Incognito was involved in a high-profile bullying scandal during his time with the Miami Dolphins, where he was allegedly harassing a teammate. USA Today’s Brent Schrotenboer wrote that Incognito’s bad reputation actually dated back to 2002, well before he was in the league.

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Time Magazine wrote a piece on the former NFL safety in 2010, calling him “football’s assassin.” Tatum dished out vicious hits in the 1970s, and one such collision left Daryl Stingley paralyzed in 1978. That incident, along with Tatum’s pattern of crushing anyone that came over the middle of the field, made him one of the most reviled players in league history.

Rison’s nickname during his time in the NFL was “bad moon” thanks to ESPN’s Chris Berman, but the receiver often rubbed people the wrong way. He got into a massive skirmish with Deion Sanders during a game in 1994. Rison also antagonized Cleveland Browns fans as the team was set to relocate in the mid 1990s.

Haynesworth’s most despicable incident came in 2006 when he stepped on Andre Gurode’s face while the latter was not wearing his facemask during a game. This left Gurode bloodied and in need of 30 stitches, and left Haynesworth as a pariah in the league. Haynesworth was also infamous for not playing as well after receiving a $100 million contract.

For the vast majority of Brown’s career, fans were delighted by his brilliant play. He was well on his way to becoming one of the best receivers of all time, but things went downhill fast once he left the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had a myriad of problems with the Raiders, and never got on the field for them. He also took off his uniform and left the field with the Tampa Bay Bucs, which is the last time Brown played an NFL game.

ESPN’s page 2 section once tabbed Romanowski as the one of the least likeable players in NFL history. They cited his racist remarks and spitting in an opponent’s face on national television as two main reasons why. Mike Wilbon of The Washington Post wrote in 2003, “There have been too many hits after the whistle, too many pops that border on cheap shots.”

Ashley Fox of ESPN called out Harrison’s damaged persona in 2013 after a Men’s Journal piece on him. Fox didn’t know which was worse; a picture with guns, a homophobic slur, the disrespect for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, or calling out his teammates with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Harrison was often in the league’s crosshairs with illegal hits.

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Speaking of dirty plays, Burfict’s name is intimately linked with tackles that had no place in the sport. The Guardian’s Oliver Connolly wrote in 2019, “The linebacker’s career has been a steady parade of grisly hits and cowardly acts.” Burfict’s most memorable hit came against Antonio Brown, ironically in a 2016 playoff game that cost the Cincinnati Bengals a victory.

Tyson Langland of Bleacher Report wrote in 2013, “his cocky attitude and swagger rub almost everyone the wrong way.” Sherman was never one to shy away from speaking his mind, which often got him into trouble. He gave the world a piece of his mind after his Seattle Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the 2014 NFL title game, ripping 49ers receiving Michael Crabtree.

Playing for America’s Team during one of their most successful runs is enough to have most fans despise Irvin. While his success with the Dallas Cowboys made him unlikeable to some, Irvin had trouble off the field that helped fan the flames of negative perception. He was arrested for felony drug possession, amongst other run-ins with the law.

Lewis’ crunching hits and dances prior to Baltimore Ravens home games always put a target on his back. In addition to his personality, Lewis’ situation involving a murder in 2000 also put a cloud over his head. Charges against him were dropped after he testified against his friends, but many believe that Lewis never should have had the chance to be a Hall of Fame player in the NFL.

Like many of the names on this list, Taylor was a transcendent player. He was virtually unblockable and is one of the most accomplished defenders ever. With that said, Taylor is always remembered for a hit that broke Joe Theismann’s leg on Monday Night Football in 1985. In addition, the former Giants linebacker has had deeply troubling incidents away from the field.

NBC Sports Philadelphia remarked about a GQ survey that asked pro athletes who is the most hated amongst them in 2006, and Terrell Owens came in first. Owens was criticized as a high maintenance diva, who cared about himself above everyone else. He also blamed the media for his troubles after his football days were over, which didn’t help his case.

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Anyone who seems like they have it all, and wins year in and year out is going to draw the ire of opposing fans, and Brady fit that bill more than anyone. Jeff Pearlman of Sports Illustrated wrote in 2016, “They hate his smile, his giggle, his chin dimple, his walk, his talk. They hate that he’s rich and successful. They hate that he’s tall and handsome… They consider him to be a cheater, a liar, a symbol of all that’s bad in professional football.” Yikes.