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15 Athletes Who Need A Reality Check In 2015

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15 Athletes Who Need A Reality Check In 2015

Jameis Winston
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

It takes some every day people like you and me a little longer than others to mature and athletes are no different. The players on this list are tremendously skilled athletes who excel at their craft, but at times make some pretty boneheaded decisions or make some not so carefully thought out comments. Here are 15 athletes who need a reality check in 2015.

15. Ndamukong Suh

Ndamukong Suh
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15. Ndamukong Suh

Ndamukong Suh
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Suh’s another example of an incredibly talented player that just seems to lose his cool occasionally and make some terrible decisions. The defensive tackle has been fined hundreds of thousands of dollars by the NFL and has been suspended twice for player-safety violations. Suh got lucky he didn’t hurt his Lions team when his most recent suspension for stepping on Aaron Rodgers’ ankle was overturned.

14. Johnny Manziel

Johnny Manziel
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14. Johnny Manziel

Johnny Manziel
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One major reason “Johnny Football” slipped in the draft was because of off-the-field concerns. After throwing a party just a couple days before the Browns’ final game, Manziel didn’t show up to a team walkthrough the following day and was fined by the team. Manziel’s inability to avoid headlines away from the football field has even led to some people calling for Cleveland to cut ties with the rookie quarterback.

13. Josh Gordon

Josh Gordon
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13. Josh Gordon

Josh Gordon
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Simply enough, Josh Gordon is one of the best players in the NFL. The issue for the Cleveland wide receiver is that he’s rarely been seen on the field in recent years. Gordon’s been suspended several times for failing drug tests, including the first ten games of the 2014 season. Gordon attended Manziel’s party, failed to show up to the team’s walkthrough the next day, and was suspended for the final game of the season by the Browns.

12. Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

12. Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Carmelo Anthony had the opportunity to leave the New York Knicks this past offseason, but decided to sign a big contract and stay in the Big Apple. The Knicks are off to their worst start in team history with a 5-29 record and Anthony’s been a big reason why. "Melo" has reportedly been at war with teammates over his refusal to play hard on defense.

11. Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

11. Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

A-Rod might be the most hated man in sports and at this point, I think just about every fan wishes he’d just go away. Major League Baseball suspended the Yankees’ third baseman for the entirety of the 2014 season and Rodriguez quickly objected and appealed MLB’s decision. His appeal failed and A-Rod later finally admitted to having used performance-enhancing drugs.

10. Aldon Smith

Aldon Smith
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10. Aldon Smith

Aldon Smith
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Aldon Smith is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL today. In just under three year's time, the outside linebacker has twice been arrested for driving under the influence, charged with three felony counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon, and has been arrested for allegedly claiming to have a bomb at an airport. He’s only 25 years old, so hopefully he figures it out before it’s too late.

9. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant
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9. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant
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Kobe’s one of the greatest players of his generation, but late in his career, it’s hard to tell exactly what he’s doing. He’s attempting more shots per game than any player in the league, but only knocking them down at a 37.5% clip. The Lakers have no chance to compete in the ultra-competitive Western Conference, but Bryant should start sharing the ball more and help develop the rest of the players on the team for future seasons.

8. Marcell Dareus

Marcell Dareus
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8. Marcell Dareus

Marcell Dareus
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Dareus’ career is off to a tremendous start, but some off-the-field issues are the only thing holding him back from really taking off. The Bills' big defensive lineman was already facing felony charges for possession of synthetic marijuana this past offseason when he was again arrested for drag racing.

7. Justin Blackmon

justin blackmon
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7. Justin Blackmon

justin blackmon
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Justin Blackmon was the fifth-overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and his career has been a disaster ever since. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ wide receiver has been suspended several times for violating the league’s substance abuse policy and is currently under an indefinite suspension. At just 24 years old, it’s not too late for Blackmon to turn his life around.

6. Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson
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6. Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson
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This isn’t only about Peterson excessively beating his son with a switch. The Minnesota Vikings' running back took to Twitter and obtusely compared his own case to the decision in Ferguson to not indict Darren Wilson.

5. Ray Rice, the Ravens, and the NFL

Ray Rice Press Conference
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5. Ray Rice, the Ravens, and the NFL

Ray Rice Press Conference
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This one isn’t just on Ray Rice. Clearly what Rice did to his wife in that elevator was heinous, but the way the Ravens and the NFL handled the subsequent punishment was terrible as well. Rice was initially suspended only two games and some people believe the Ravens and the NFL had seen the entire surveillance tape prior to the time it was released to the public.

4. Dominic Raiola

Dominic Raiola
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4. Dominic Raiola

Dominic Raiola
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The Lions center has had a reputation for dirty play for some time now. The 36-year-old blocker is also known for his use of profane language against both fans and players. In a December game against the Bears, Raiola stomped on the ankle of Ego Ferguson and was consequently suspended for one game by the NFL.

3. Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez
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3. Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez
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Luis Suarez has become better known for his dirty antics on the soccer field rather than his stellar play. In a World Cup game against Italy, Suarez bit Giorgio Chiellini and then flopped to the ground. In addition to three biting incidents, Suarez was found guilty of racially abusing fellow footballer Patrice Evra. Seriously...this guy is the worst.

2. Cardale Jones

Cardale Jones
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2. Cardale Jones

Cardale Jones
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Jones is a hot name in the sports world right now after leading the Ohio State Buckeyes to the national championship with a win over previously No. 1 ranked Alabama. The former third-string quarterback isn’t shy to share his thoughts on twitter, as evidenced by his tweet a couple years ago stating he didn’t believe he should have to attend classes since he plays football.

1. Jameis Winston

Jameis Winston
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1. Jameis Winston

Jameis Winston
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It’s becoming a little sad that the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner has yet to figure it out. Winston is one of the most talented college football players in quite some time and is in line to be paid handsomely should he enter the 2015 NFL Draft. Winston’s off-the-field issues, such as standing on a table at school and screaming profanities, is not going to help him win the affection of many NFL teams come draft day.

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