The NFL has a lot of active talent that are in the spotlight. Their actions on and off the field are publicized for all. With famous on the field comes along, sometimes the off-the-field behavior takes the spotlight and the player loses their footing and neglects their responsibility to be that role model to young fans all over the world.
Whether it’s off-the-field issues, talking trash publicly, or just bad, spoiled, entitled behavior- it has no place in or around the young fans of the game. Some very talented NFL players leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Here are 10 active NFL players you want to say, “You know you were taught better than that”.
Tyreek Hill
There is no denying how fast and talented Hill is. During his time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, he has been a standout. However, his domestic assault conviction and child abuse allegation- where he allegedly broke his then three-year-old son’s arm are what we remember. Hill was investigated and the NFL which ultimately found no evidence of Hill violating the league’s personal conduct policy but would be re-examined if new evidence pops up. These two incidents in Hill’s off-the-field life, leave a bad taste in our mouths.
Aaron Rodgers
As talented as Aaron Rodgers was during his time in Green Bay and when his name is mentioned by Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Detroit Lions fans for all the winning and pain Rodgers and the Packers put the NFC through for a decade his opinions during the COVID lockdown overshadow his accomplishments. He has questioned the legitimacy of vaccines as well as listened to very questionable sources who are not medical professionals for medical advice. Rodgers’ name has left a bad taste in people’s mouths for his controversial stance on vaccines.
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Deshaun Watson
Watson’s career took off during his time with the Houston Texans where he became a three-time Pro Bowler as well as led the team to back-to-back division titles before a series of sexual assault and harassment allegations from multiple women was unearthed. These allegations will forever be around Watson’s name no matter where he goes next in his career whether he stays in Cleveland or goes somewhere else. That alone would put a bad taste in anyone’s mouth.
Russell Wilson
There is no denying how talented Russell Wilson is on the field whether it was during his time in Seattle or some bright moments with the Denver Broncos. However, Wilson’s former Seahawks teammates have revealed that Wilson allegedly isn’t the person the public knows him to be. Wilson’s former teammate K.J. Wright said on a podcast Wilson owes a lot of apologies to a lot of guys in Seattle, he didn’t say for what, but we can assume it’s not good. Another former teammate of Wilson’s, Michael Robinson who is now an analyst for the NFL Network, called Wilson a robot who needs to be more human. Oh, and not to mention, Wilson wanted his own office in the Denver Broncos facility putting him above everyone else in the Broncos locker room. That for sure leaves a bad taste in our mouths.
Alvin Kamara
Kamara is one of the NFL’s most talented running backs in the game. However, Kamara’s dark past will always follow him. Kamara was arrested for punching a man eight times while at a casino and was suspended by the NFL for three games of the 2023 season. Kamara’s name will leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth after that incident. This shows how even one incident of poor judgment can tarnish a career.
Jameis Winston
Winston may be a backup quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, but controversy has followed him from back from his college days including sexual assault allegations, incidents of shoplifting, and vulgar comments that resulted in Winston getting suspended for a game. During his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Winston allegedly groped a female Uber driver. As a result, Winston was suspended for the first three games of the 2018 season. Winston hasn’t been involved in any off-the-field incidents ever since, but these associations willWinston’s name and yes, can leave a bad taste in our mouths.
Isaiah Rodgers
Rodgers played some good seasons with the Indianapolis Colts before getting waived by Indy for violating the league’s gambling policy leaving him suspended for the entire 2023 season. Rodgers may have signed with the Eagles, but cannot play a single snap for his new team due to his season-long gambling suspension. Poor behavior such as breaking the NFL’s policies via gambling, still does leave people craving mouthwash to wash the bad taste out of their mouths.
D’Wayne Eskridge
Eskridge is a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks who has dealt with injuries in what could be a promising career. However, in 2023, Eskridge was suspended for the entire 2023 season for a confrontation with the mother of his child resulting in an arrest in February 2023. Saying Eskridge’s name will leave a bad taste in our mouths for a long time to come.
Amani Bledsoe
Bledsoe has played for the Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, and Atlanta Falcons in the NFL. Unfortunately, Bledsoe was suspended for the entire 2023 season for violating the NFL Policy on Performance-Enhancing Substances (PED policy). Similar to the gambling policy, young fans look up to NFL Players as role models, and taking PEDs is not the way to be a role model and inspire the next generation of athletes to possibly compete for a spot in the NFL. Bledsoe leaves a bad taste in our mouths for this, but we hope he returns to the league and redeems himself.
Chandler Jones
Jones is a Super Bowl 49 champion with the New England Patriots as well as having spent time with the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders. However, during his time with the Raiders, Jones’ difficulties started to surface. Jones said he was hospitalized against his will, allegedly took items from his ex’s home and burned them on video. The Raiders had enough and cut ties with the troubled linebacker. Saying Jones’ name will leave a bad taste in our mouths for a long time. This does highlight that even elite athletes may struggle with mental health difficulties and need help and support.
As role models and public figures, it is imperative for elite athletes in the NFL and throughout sports to hold up the highest level of character and integrity, while being leaders on and off the field. The last thing an athlete wants to be associated with is – “Can you pass the toothpaste?”
