15 Biggest Poor Sports in Professional Sports

Biggest Poor Sports in Professional Sports

There are a lot of characteristics that can make someone a poor sport. Whether it's just flat-out poor sportsmanship or a tendency to complain to the officials after every single call, there are plenty of professional athletes who have exemplified being a poor sport over the years.

It's one thing to be a good winner, it's another thing to be able to handle yourself adequately when faced with defeat. Professional athletes need to understand that they are under the public eye at all times, and are seen as role models by many even if they never asked for that type of attention.

There are many unwritten rules in sports, which are usually acquired knowledge as someone goes through the ranks to becoming a professional athlete. When these rules are broken, there really is no excuse. There may be no fine that has to be paid or penalty assessed on the play, but being looked down upon from your peers from that moment forward is something that can have a detrimental effect on an athlete's future.

Being a professional athlete is difficult. There are going to be calls that don't go your way, players that are going to get the better of you and bounces that make it seem like everything is against you. A true athlete can keep their composure when everything isn't going their way.

Historically, there have been many instances when someone's true colors were shown. Whether it's Dale Hunter hitting Pierre Turgeon five seconds after he had scored a series-clinching goal of the 1993 NHL playoffs, or Mike Tyson's infamous snack attack on Evander Holyfield, such instances tend to happen when blood pressures are running high.

Here are the 15 biggest poor sports in professional sports.

15. Rory Sabbatini

There aren't many golfers that make headlines for being a poor sport, but Rory Sabbatini's actions at the 2005 Booz Allen Classic were inexcusable. Paired alongside Ben Crane, a player known for his slow play, Sabbatini got fed up and putted out on the 17th hole before Crane had even reached the green. Sabbatini would later apologize, but even nine years later, this incident is still commonly referred to when discussing poor etiquette.

14. Caron Butler

In 2013, Jonas Valanciunas of the Toronto Raptors was attempting to run out the clock as the Raptors had a commanding 27-point lead with under 20 seconds to play. Caron Butler, then a member of the Los Angeles Clippers had other plans, giving Valanciunas a fake high-five and stealing the ball to go down to the other end for a garbage lay-up with the game completely sealed. It would have been much worse had Caron's team been up by 27, but it's still a classless act.

13. Stevie Johnson

I love touchdown celebrations, but Stevie Johnson has the tendency to go to far. The one that comes to mind first is when he re-enacted opposing wide receiver Plaxico Burress shooting himself in the thigh.

12. Nyjer Morgan

Nyjer Morgan might be known for his trash talk, but when he decided to charge the mound during a game against the Florida Marlins in 2010, he ate a clothesline from Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez. Maybe next time he'll think twice about trying to back up his verbal assaults.

11. Serena Williams

Serena Williams doesn't lose often, but when she does it's rarely pretty. Williams has become known for taking her frustrations out on the chair umpire. When her career is over, she may be known as the female John McEnroe.

10. LeGarrette Blount

LeGarrette Blount has grown up since becoming a pro, and may eventually establish himself as one of the best power running backs in the game; however, it's quite known that his temper will get the best of him from time to time. Just ask Byron Hout, who was the victim of a devastating punch from Blount after Boise State defeated Oregon 19-8 in 2009.

9. Sidney Crosby

There's little doubt he's the best hockey player in the world, but he's also arguably the most hated player as well outside of the Pittsburgh area. Sidney Crosby always has a mouthful for the referees and has become quite known for embellishing in order to draw penalties.

8. Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler isn't afraid to run his mouth on the sideline, and is definitely a player that goes onto the field with his heart on his sleeve. His antics are yet to get him a Super Bowl ring, have people questioning his leadership abilities, and got him ranked the 6th least liked NFL player by Forbes in 2013.

7. Brian Robison

It might only be one instance, but you just never hit a man in the groin. Ever. In 2011, Brian Robison of the Minnesota Vikings blatantly kicked T.J. Lang of the Green Bay Packers right in the sweet spot. Just no excuse for such a cowardly play.

6. Cristiano Ronaldo

Like Crosby, Cristiano Ronaldo is known as one of the best soccer players in the world, but that doesn't stop him from constantly being accused of poor sportsmanship and immaturity. Ronaldo has become known for his antics on the pitch and is another player on this list who always tends to give the referees an earful.

5. Dez Bryant

Popularized by Terrell Owens, Dez Bryant is a wide receiver who can't seem to handle himself professionally whenever he is not getting the ball. If the Dallas Cowboys are losing badly in the fourth quarter and Bryant doesn't have many catches, he has shown that he has no problem unleashing verbal flurries on either the coaching staff or quarterback Tony Romo.

4. Richard Sherman

The interview is famous now, but Richard Sherman displayed his true immaturity by calling out Michael Crabtree after making the game-clinching play toward the end of the NFC Championship game. It's the perfect example of how to be known as a poor winner.

3. LeBron James

Love him or hate him, LeBron James is the best player in basketball and has been for the last three or four years. On the way to greatness however, he has made countless enemies. Whether it's bailing on the city of Cleveland to team up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, his uncanny flopping ability, his arrogant speech promising Miami "not 4, not 5" NBA Championships, or the fact that when his leg cramps he acts like it's as bad as Kevin Ware's injury, LeBron definitely belongs on this list.

2. Ndamukong Suh

Ndamukong Suh is one of the most feared defensive linemen in football, but he's also one of the most notorious players for taking cheap shots. The Thanksgiving Day Stomp committed by Suh will be replayed while we stuff our face with turkey for years and years to come.

1. Metta World Peace

Maybe it's because he changed his name, but many people seem to forget that Metta World Peace, who was then known as Ron Artest, went into the crowd and maliciously attacked fans at The Palace in Detroit back in 2004. World Peace was lying on the scorer's table when a fan hit him with a plastic cup half-filled with beer. Instead of handling it like a professional, Artest bolted into the crowd and went after a particular fan, who ended up not even being the guy who threw the beer. That certainly sounds like "peace" to me, Ron.