The 5 Most Polarizing People in Sports
Most Polarizing Athletes September 17th. 2008, 1:30pm
Current athletes/coaches/GMs only. No particular order.
Tim Tebow, QB, Florida Gators
Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees
Terrell Owens, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Billy Beane, GM, Oakland A’s
Kobe Bryant, G, LA Lakers
Just missed: Curt Schilling, Shaq, A-Rod, Tony Romo, Jerry Jones, Tiger Woods, Vince Young, Randy Moss, Daniel Snyder, Allen Iverson.
Who’d we miss? [Ed. Bill Belichick, Brett Favre, Mark Cuban, Charlie Weis.]
110 Responses to “The 5 Most Polarizing People in Sports”
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September 17th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Billy Beane is nowhere near any top 5 I’d put together. And you missed Brady, Manning, Bonds, and Peter King. But I’d say you nailed this one pretty well.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
????
September 17th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Mark Cuban
September 17th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Are you implying some people are actually in favor of Dan Snyder?
September 17th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Anyone who plays/has played for Notre Dame. The lunacy of people’s hatred for that school is unbelievable.
I’d also put LeBron on there, just because he’s paired w/ KB24 in the who’s better discussion.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Manny being Manny is worth a spot on the list, IMO.
No way on Beane. He doesn’t sniff Jerry Jones or Bill Bellicheat.
Iverson was near the top of this list 5 years ago. Now, with his career winding down, he isn’t as relevant, but still worth mentioning.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Ricky Williams maybe.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Man, what would you haters do if Belichick’s last name was Smith? I often wonder.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
sadly, yes
when an attitude-changing book is penned about either of those guys, they can take his place, imo
September 17th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
PS I do agree Belichick needs to be on that list. He was on the cover of SI as the Grinch for God’s sake.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Rich Rodriguez.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
List!
September 17th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Commenter Driven Post Alert!
-
Based on the Kobe v Lebron that goes on here everyday, I think you should add Lebron. Also, Brett Favre?
September 17th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
No, I say either Beane or even Bill James definitely belong on this list in some way. Any time Beane or the “Moneyball” precepts are brought up in conversation, lines seem to be drawn quickly.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
This is a discussion worthy of Mike and Mike.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Charlie Weis of course.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
looking at the list…regardless of your yankee love / hate
derek jeter would always be the coolest guy in the room
kobe bryant would always be the biggest dick in whatever country hes in
other than that…i cant think of anyone else other than steinbrenners or maybe ozzie guillen
September 17th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Roger Godell
September 17th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Coach K?
September 17th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Man, what would you haters do if Belichick’s last name was Smith?
Actually “Bill Smith” is the name Belicheat uses to sign into motels when he is banging other guys’ wives.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I’ve never had a single discussion about Beane, nor heard anyone else have one. He doesn’t belong there.
Nor does Tebow. Is he really that “polarizing?” He’s good, people know he’s good. What is there that is polarizing about him? He’s maybe the least polarizing Heisman winner I have seen in a long time.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Let’s spell it correctly: Roger Goodell.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
actually…sean jean changed my mind too…why does tebow belong here?
i say nick saban way ahead of tebow
steve spurrier too
September 17th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I think Kobe and T.O. should be 1.a and 1.b. Cause most people either love em or hate em
September 17th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Who doesn’t like Tiger Woods?
I am polarized by this post.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
too bad we couldnt include espn personalities…but thats another post
September 17th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Jason McIntyre
September 17th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
People like Terrell Owens?
Tom Brady/Derek Jeter are the same guy, both are polarizing as it gets
September 17th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Jimmy Piersall was definitely the most bi-polarizing player in sports at one point.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Tim Tebow?
Who gives a fuck about Tim Tebow?
September 17th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Jack Parkman
September 17th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I hope not.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Tim Tebow isn’t at all polarizing, what a crock.
Nick Saban absolutely belongs on this list.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Tebow is polarizing because many people think he’s an overrated system QB who can’t throw the ball and will fail miserably on Sundays. Others think he’s changed the game and will end up as one of the greatest ever (despite that impressive 11-4 starting record).
Just last year many people still thought Roethlisberger was an overrated system guy, others (smart people) knew he was a top 5 QB.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Damn straight. I love the guy.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Michelle Wie
September 17th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Reggie Bush.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Intern Bill
September 17th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Jason McIntyre
Who?
Philip Rivers should have gotten honorable mention.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Maybe Billy Beane isn’t the right example. But how about sabermetrics? Can we impune an entire idea rather than labeling one person with it?
September 17th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Roy Mcavoy
September 17th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Tony Kornheiser
September 17th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I don’t really like Tiger Woods because I think he picks and chooses courses that benefit his game (long game) and skips those that do not. Knowing this the golf courses have changed into mammoth long courses and thusly more majors will be played on these type courses giving him even more of an advantage. Given all of that, he is still the greatest golfer on Earth and a great competitor.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Funny thing is..I am a UF fan…but I cant name a UF QB who has had any success in the NFL
Jesse Palmer
Danny Wuerffel
Rex Grossman
Chris Leak
Steve Spurrier
September 17th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Tim Tebow lost to freakin Michigan, of all teams. Get him out of here.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Prefontaine.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Is Tyler Hansbrough not “polarizing” because 98% of sports fans are in agreement that he needs to go away?
September 17th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Tiger Woods is probably the most underrated golfer today…what he does just isnt that easy
September 17th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Jackie Robinson.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
How on EARTH is Tiger Woods UNDERrated?
September 17th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Manny Ramirez.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Mats Sundin
September 17th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
TBL Rules:
Current athletes/coaches/GMs only
September 17th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Jesse Owens.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
September 17th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Bill Walton
September 17th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
because people discuss whether or not he is the greatest of all time still…jack nicklaus and arnold palmer agree
/ science
September 17th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Sidney Crosby
September 17th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Nick Saban / Steve Spurrier
pick em
September 17th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
John Daly? The common people love him, and golf’s target audience hates him.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Craig Counsell
September 17th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Um, even white people think he’s the best.
/subtle racism
September 17th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Most Polarizing:
Pete Rose
Barry Bonds
AJ Piersinski (e.g. pure shit stain)
Terrell Owens
September 17th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Chet Steadman.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Sidd Finch
September 17th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
bonds although technically not current.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Where is Mariotti?
September 17th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Tom Coughlin
September 17th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Phil Jackson
September 17th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Jimmy Morris
September 17th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Larry Brown
September 17th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I might as well finish off my NHL themed list:
sean avery
chris pronger
dion phaneuf
September 17th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Kevin Duckworth
September 17th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
The hateable Dan Lebatard
BAM!
September 17th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Wayne Gretzky
September 17th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Turd Ferguson
September 17th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Least Polarizing:
Matt Millen . Isaiah Thomas . AJ Pierzynski .
September 17th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Brick Tamland
September 17th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Ted Brogan.
/played a little minor league ball in the 80s
September 17th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Barack Obama
September 17th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
We need a new post. Nick has won this one three times over.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
/updated
September 17th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
@ Nick: Is Ted Brogan from that SNL skit where Will Ferrell is the only guy not dressed in a baseball uniform and says “I got rolling papers if you got weed?”
September 17th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
@mikey – spurrier? wait…nevermind; he sucked too.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Your mom.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
So, a real top five:
Brett Favre
Derek Jeter
Kobe Bryant
Terrell Owens
Bill Belichick
Does that sound like the right one?
September 17th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
You got it, Lance.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Adam Dunn
September 17th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Ted Brogan
I used to give anywhere I was asked to give mine and didn’t want to… Ted Brogan or Rusty Shakleford.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I used to give that name anywhere I was asked to give mine and didn’t want to… Ted Brogan or Rusty Shakleford.
/fixed
September 17th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
@ mizerle
i had him on the list didnt i?
September 17th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Point taken on Beane. Maybe to baseball geeks like those of us on this site, Beane would belong. He came up with a completely different theory on talent evaluation which is either loved or hated.
To the mainstream, he doesn’t come close to Jones or Belichick though.
Jones is the face that fired The Hat, which automatically makes him an ass. He is smarmy and just a tough person to like, even if you are a Cowboy fan. Cowboy fans can’t hate too much since he spends money like its on fire in his attempts to help his team win.
Coach Hoodie is just an unpersonable, less than honest, miserable man. No one person in the NFL gets more hatred than Belichick.
And I’m an ass for not coming up with Charlie Cheeseburger sooner. That was blatantly obvious.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Dane Cook
September 17th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
@Rockabye…
That’s pretty darn close. I would say that A Rod is more polarizing than Jeter, but a case can be made for both.
The Favre debacle this year definitely gets him to the edge of this list. I would likely take Charlie Cheeseburger instead of him in honor of it being college football season and all.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Hef
September 17th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
September 17th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
@ Rockabye Reggie Nelson
That list is pretty close. I’d replace Favre with Brady.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Vince Young is the most polarizing figure in sports today…save maybe Hershal Walker.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
@mikey – you absolutely did. and, I’m fucking blind.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
tyduffy
September 17th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Intern.Bill.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
DA Ohio State University
Winner winner chicken dinner
September 17th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Max Wasserman
September 17th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Cubs fans.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
No soccer players?
C-Ron? Becks? An EPL manager (SAF?)
September 17th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Darren Daulton’s hair.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I definitely think Favre is on there.
lozo, that Piersall joke was fantastic.
September 17th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Tim Tebow, QB, Florida Gators
Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees
Terrell Owens, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Billy Beane, GM, Oakland A’s
Kobe Bryant, G, LA Lakers
All of them all stars and champions and the best at what they do.
September 17th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Whitlock
Duke Basketball
Belicheck
Kobe
Arod
September 17th, 2008 at 11:23 pm