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The 10 Most Common Lies Told by Athletes

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By @MichaelTerrill

The 10 Most Common Lies Told by Athletes

Lies Told by Athletes
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

It’s an unfortunate realization that there are athletes who don’t tell the truth when given the opportunity to do so. The reality is athletes have to keep up their public image if they want to see money continue to flow their way. For that reason, it’s simply easier to lie then tell the truth. Here’s a look at the 10 most common lies told by athletes.

10. ‘I’ve Never Taken Performance-Enhancing Drugs’

‘I’ve Never Taken Performance-Enhancing Drugs’
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10. ‘I’ve Never Taken Performance-Enhancing Drugs’

‘I’ve Never Taken Performance-Enhancing Drugs’
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Ryan Braun, Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens and so many other athletes (most notably baseball players) have told this lie. Yes, you have taken performance-enhancing drugs, but you’re just not man enough to admit it.

9. ‘I’ve Never Cheated’

‘I’ve Never Cheated’
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9. ‘I’ve Never Cheated’

‘I’ve Never Cheated’
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This lie goes hand-in-hand with the ‘I’ve never taken performance-enhancing drugs’ lie. However, there’s also the ‘I’ve never cheated on my girlfriend or wife’ lie when rumors begin to circulate in the media. Athletes are all about ensuring their image is intact, which is why the lies surface in the first place. ‘I’ve never cheated’ is a broad lie that can cover many bases.

8. ‘I Know Nothing About That’

‘I Know Nothing About That’
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8. ‘I Know Nothing About That’

‘I Know Nothing About That’
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When asked if a player is going to suit up or whether an injury is preventing them from playing to the best of their ability, ‘I know nothing about that’ is the typical lie that is spoken. More often than not, the lie is heard when a player simply doesn’t want to answer a question given by the media.

7. ‘I Play For the Love of the Game’

‘I Play For the Love of the Game’
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7. ‘I Play For the Love of the Game’

‘I Play For the Love of the Game’
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Do athletes really play solely for the love of the game? Sure, that’s a big reason why they decided to turn professional in the first place. But, when it comes down to it, there are far greater reasons why an athlete plays other than just for the love of the game. Fame, money and pretty women being the most obvious reasons.

6. ‘It Was Never About the Money’

‘It Was Never About the Money’
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6. ‘It Was Never About the Money’

‘It Was Never About the Money’
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Speaking of money, ‘it was never about the money’ is a lie that can often be heard when a player doesn’t play up to their ability after a big contract. Too often, we see athletes get the big payday and then watch their production go into the gutter. If it wasn’t about the money, then what was it about? It surely isn’t about winning, especially when the player no longer contributes on the court or field.

5. ‘You Guys Are the Best Fans’

‘You Guys Are the Best Fans’
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5. ‘You Guys Are the Best Fans’

‘You Guys Are the Best Fans’
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The ‘you guys are the best fans’ is a lie we all love to hear from our favorite player after the team accomplished something great. To be honest, most players are telling the truth. Unfortunately, there are athletes who say it and you can just tell they don’t really mean it. When the realization occurs, it’s truly a disheartening moment.

4. ‘I Will Stay With (Enter Team Name Here) For My Entire Career’

‘I Will Stay With (Enter Team Name Here) For My Entire Career’
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4. ‘I Will Stay With (Enter Team Name Here) For My Entire Career’

‘I Will Stay With (Enter Team Name Here) For My Entire Career’
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How many times have you heard an athlete say ‘I will stay with (team name) for my entire career’ only to watch them leave when their contract is up? This lie is one that can be forgiven for the sole reason that a majority of those players actually believe they will remain with the same team. However, when a bigger payday comes along, the player would be foolish not to take it. Regardless, it’s still a very common lie among athletes.

3. ‘I Guarantee (Pretty Much Anything)’

‘I Guarantee (Pretty Much Anything)’
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3. ‘I Guarantee (Pretty Much Anything)’

‘I Guarantee (Pretty Much Anything)’
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Unless your name is Joe Namath or Babe Ruth, you really shouldn’t be guaranteeing anything. I’m looking at you, Rex Ryan. Athletes guarantee wins, championships, and pretty much whatever they feel like to get the media off their back and the fans on their side. It’s a hurtful lie when the guarantee doesn’t come to fruition.

2. ‘I’m Sorry’

‘I’m Sorry’
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2. ‘I’m Sorry’

‘I’m Sorry’
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So many athletes, and people in general, use the ‘I’m sorry’ line in hopes for forgiveness. The unfortunate reality is most of the people that say the two words together don’t really mean it. If an athlete doesn’t play well or has been caught doing something they shouldn’t have been doing, they will simply release a statement that consists of an apology and all is forgiven. We do forgive, but it’s mostly a reluctant forgiveness.

1. ‘I’m Retiring’

You Had a Love/Hate Relationship with Brett Favre
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You Had a Love/Hate Relationship with Brett Favre

1. ‘I’m Retiring’

You Had a Love/Hate Relationship with Brett Favre
Getty Images

Brett Favre is the most famous player when it comes to the ‘I’m retiring’ lie, but many players have found themselves caught up in it. An athlete will say they’re calling it quits to get leverage over an organization or join a contender. It’s an unfair emotional rollercoaster for the fans to watch a player state they’re retiring, throw a retirement party, and then continue to play with a new team.

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