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Michael Vick and 10 Athletes Who Can’t Outlive Their Pasts

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By @MichaelTerrill

Michael Vick and 10 Athletes Who Can't Outlive Their Pasts

Michael Vick Past
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Michael Vick went from being the face of the Atlanta Falcons franchise to one of the most despised athletes alive overnight. It was all over for him once it was revealed that he was connected to the Bad Newz Kennels dog-fighting ring. Along with Vick, who are 10 athletes who can’t seem to outlive their pasts no matter how hard they try?

10. Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods
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10. Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods
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In 2009, Tigers Woods’ life changed forever. He went from being one of the most well liked athletes on the planet to a punch line. Woods is slowly recovering from his multiple affairs with several women, including prostitutes. However, he will never be able to fully put the shame behind him.

9. Ryan Braun

Ryan Braun
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9. Ryan Braun

Ryan Braun
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Ryan Braun lied about taking performance-enhancing drugs, which cost mediator Dino Laurenzi Jr. his job. Braun also allowed best friend Aaron Rodgers to support him in the public eye, even though Rodgers had no idea Braun was lying. The slugger can expect to get booed on the road throughout the 2014 season and beyond. There’s a chance it will calm down one day, but don’t count on it anytime soon.

8. Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds
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8. Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds
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Barry Bonds was convicted of obstruction of justice for evading an answer while under oath. The question was in regard to his alleged steroid use and his involvement with BALCO. Bonds will forever have an asterisk next to his name, as he falsely became the MLB home run king. No matter how hard he tries, people will forever be convinced that he used steroids, which was the only reason he broke Hank Aaron’s sacred record.

7. Ryan Leaf

Ryan Leaf
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7. Ryan Leaf

Ryan Leaf
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The biggest NFL Draft bust of all time is Ryan Leaf. He was irresponsible, arrogant and didn’t have a clue what it took to be a quarterback at the professional level. Leaf played for a few years but never amounted to anything. He could have quietly disappeared and coached college football. Instead, Leaf got into a string of legal troubles that further solidified him as a complete screw up. San Diego Chargers fans will never forget nor forgive.

6. Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

6. Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Rodriguez is one of the most hated athletes in the world. Even New York Yankees fans can’t stand him. His dismal performance on the field during New York’s postseason runs from 2004 to 2007 and his confirmed use of performance-enhancing drugs in 2003 makes the baseball-loving world despise him even more.

5. Chad Johnson

Chad Johnson
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5. Chad Johnson

Chad Johnson
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Chad Johnson never lived up to the expectations that he set for himself. He was convinced he would be one of the greatest wide receivers to ever live. Instead, his touchdown celebrations and off-the-field antics would become his legacy. Things only got worse when Johnson was arrested for domestic battery after he allegedly head-butted his wife. He was later sentenced to 30 days in jail after he violated his probation.

4. Metta World Peace

Metta World Peace
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4. Metta World Peace

Metta World Peace
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Metta World Peace (formerly known as Ron Artest) will forever be known for his involvement in the Malice at the Palace. The player-fan brawl was one of the most horrific in NBA history. World Peace slowly moved on from the incident, but there’s no way he will be able to completely escape what he did that night in 2004.

3. Roger Clemens

Roger Clemens
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3. Roger Clemens

Roger Clemens
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Roger Clemens is just another baseball player who disgraced his good name by using, and then lying, about taking performance-enhancing drugs. It certainly didn’t help his cause when he made false statements to a grand jury. Clemens can try his hardest to outrun his past, but there’s no way he will be completely cleared for his wrong doings.

2. Pete Rose

Pete Rose
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2. Pete Rose

Pete Rose
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Pete Rose deserves to be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame strictly based on his achievements on the field. Unfortunately, it’s what Rose did off the field that will forever haunt him. Betting on baseball has become the biggest mistake of Rose’s life, especially if MLB never reconsiders their stance on his Hall of Fame eligibility.

1. Michael Vick

Michael Vick
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1. Michael Vick

Michael Vick
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Michael Vick has slowly made a comeback in the NFL as most fans have forgiven him for his crime. However, there are people who will never look at him the same way. For that reason, Vick will never be able to outlive his past.

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