It takes a special edge to play football, let alone to play it at the highest level—in the NFL. So, perhaps it shouldn’t be unsurprising that it’s not uncommon for top players to lose control of that edge, either in terms of their antics on the field, or behavior off it.
There are, however, quite a few players that have mastered the balancing act as well and are quite likable to fans, the media, and opposing players.
Let’s take a look back through the years at the five most hateable NFL players of all-time and the five most lovable.
Most Hateable – Brandon Marshall
While he has done a lot in his post-playing career as a member of the media to revamp his reputation, there is no denying that at the peak of his powers, Pro Bowl wide receiver, Brandon Marshall was easily one of the most despised players in the league.
Over the years, he was routinely accused of being a clubhouse cancer and wherever he went a media firestorm seemed to follow, as he continually picked fights on Twitter, with reporters, and even his teammates.
Most Loveable – Rob Gronkowski
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During his playing days, Rob Gronkowski stood at 6’ 6” and weighed somewhere in the neighborhood of 270 pounds. He was an absolute unit of a man. But because of the affable way he carried himself and the sort of happy-go-lucky demeanor that he was known for, he was often described in childlike terms.
One has to be a special kind of lovable to be that big, play for the most hated team in the country, and still be as beloved as he was!
Most Hateable – Albert Haynesworth
Nothing rubs people the wrong way like a waste of true talent. At his best, Albert Haynesworth was one of the most impactful defensive players that the NFL has seen, but unfortunately, the sightings of this were few and far between. Haynesworth was far too busy getting in trouble off the field, counting his money, and being an all-around bad guy.
Most Loveable – J.J. Watt
J.J. Watt was one of the best defensive players of his generation. He won Defensive Player of the Year three times, led the league in sacks twice, and was a seven-time All-Pro selection.
All of the accolades never seemed to get to the defensive end’s head, as he always maintained an extremely modest attitude. There’s a reason he’s drawn so many comparisons to Captain America over the years!
Most Hateable – Terrell Owens
T.O. was a truly special talent as a wide receiver, which is why, at a glance, it is puzzling to have seen him play on five different teams. His many zip codes, however, can be attributed to the ceaseless controversies that seemed to follow him throughout his career because everywhere Owens went, he made more than a few enemies and by the time he left, the bridges were burnt to a crisp
Most Loveable – Matt Stafford
After spending 12 years of his career toiling away for a snakebitten Detroit Lions franchise, Matt Stafford found some relief in the form of a trade to the Los Angeles Rams. At this point, it became evident how lovable the quarterback was because the general public celebrated the opportunity he was going to have in L.A. with Sean McVay.
Most Hateable – Ben Roethlisberger
There are many reasons that Ben Roethlisberger became one of the most hateable players in the NFL over his career. For starters, there were the serious off-the-field transgressions that the NFL still seems determined to quietly sweep under the rug. Plus, he always tried to project this image of himself being this big family man and a top-notch leader and teammate, but in reality, he was a complete fraud.
Most Loveable – Ryan Fitzpatrick
After being taken in the 7th round of the 2005 NFL Draft, Ryan Fitzpatrick, the noted Harvard Alum, went on to have one of the most fascinating careers in recent memory. He bounced around to nine different teams, a journeyman in every sense of the term, but was beloved everywhere he went for his gunslinger mentality, an epic beard, and for being a genuinely great guy, both with his teammates, the fans, and the media.
Most Hateable – Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Taylor was far and away one of the best football players we have ever seen, but he was also one of the worst people. L.T. routinely had run-ins with the wall and seemed to think that because he was so far above everyone on the gridiron—that he could treat other humans however he pleased. Just an all-around bad guy.
Most Loveable – Troy Polamalu
Surely it didn’t hurt that he was one of the best defensive backs of his generation, but there are many reasons Troy Polamalu was so beloved by both Steelers fans—and the wider NFL fanbase. His playstyle was electric. The man was all over the field and made the extraordinary look routine.
Beyond that, he was extremely humble, involved with the community, and, frankly, no one seemed to have a single bad thing to say about him.
