15 Athletes Who Deserve Their Own ESPN 30 for 30

15 Athletes Who Deserve Their Own ESPN 30 for 30

By Seth Lassen

March 11, 2015

15 Athletes Who Deserve Their Own ESPN 30 For 30

Manti Te'o — ESPN has covered some of the most thrilling and intriguing stories and athletes in sports history in their documentary series "30 for 30." There's still a nearly endless supply of athletes and sports stories that fans would like to see explained and covered in depth.

Here are 15 athletes who deserve their own ESPN "30 for 30."

ESPN has covered some of the most thrilling and intriguing stories and athletes in sports history in their documentary series "30 for 30." There's still a nearly endless supply of athletes and sports stories that fans would like to see explained and covered in depth.

Here are 15 athletes who deserve their own ESPN "30 for 30."

15. Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods

15. Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods — The rise and sudden fall of the man who was on his way to becoming the greatest golfer of all time is full of twists and turns. Masterful dominance early on, followed by an incapability to stay healthy as he aged has been the story of Woods’ career. Oh, and that whole thing about his sex addiction and cheating on his wife with 12 different women.

The rise and sudden fall of the man who was on his way to becoming the greatest golfer of all time is full of twists and turns. Masterful dominance early on, followed by an incapability to stay healthy as he aged has been the story of Woods’ career. Oh, and that whole thing about his sex addiction and cheating on his wife with 12 different women.

14. Ryan Leaf and Peyton Manning

Ryan Leaf Peyton Manning

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14. Ryan Leaf and Peyton Manning

Ryan Leaf Peyton Manning — The two men selected with the first two picks in the 1998 NFL Draft had their careers go off in polar opposite directions from the get-go. Manning is set to go down in history as one of the best players in the history of football, while Leaf is considered one of the biggest busts of all time. Leaf’s story gets ugly – he’s been arrested several times, including a five-year prison sentence for breaking into a home to steal prescription drugs.

The two men selected with the first two picks in the 1998 NFL Draft had their careers go off in polar opposite directions from the get-go. Manning is set to go down in history as one of the best players in the history of football, while Leaf is considered one of the biggest busts of all time. Leaf’s story gets ugly – he’s been arrested several times, including a five-year prison sentence for breaking into a home to steal prescription drugs.

13. Lance Armstrong

Oprah Interviews Lance Armstrong

13. Lance Armstrong

Oprah Interviews Lance Armstrong — Armstrong was an American hero and one of the best cyclers in the sport’s long history. The seven-time Tour de France winner denied taking performance-enhancing drugs all throughout his career before finally admitting to it in 2013. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency concluded in 2012 that Armstrong engaged in “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen.”

Armstrong was an American hero and one of the best cyclers in the sport’s long history. The seven-time Tour de France winner denied taking performance-enhancing drugs all throughout his career before finally admitting to it in 2013. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency concluded in 2012 that Armstrong engaged in “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen.”

12. Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds San Francisco Giants

12. Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds San Francisco Giants — On numbers alone, Bonds is the greatest baseball player who ever lived. Tainted by his high-profile steroid scandal, the all-time home run king has a wide shadow cast over his incredible achievements. Bonds didn’t treat the media or his teammates with respect and has yet to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. A 30 for 30 on Bonds’ chase for baseball immortality, along with the PED scandal would be riveting.

On numbers alone, Bonds is the greatest baseball player who ever lived. Tainted by his high-profile steroid scandal, the all-time home run king has a wide shadow cast over his incredible achievements. Bonds didn’t treat the media or his teammates with respect and has yet to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. A 30 for 30 on Bonds’ chase for baseball immortality, along with the PED scandal would be riveting.

11. Delonte West and LeBron James

Delonte West LeBron James

11. Delonte West and LeBron James

Delonte West LeBron James — The biggest free agency signing in recent sports history may have had a little more behind it than most people realize. It’s never been confirmed, but Delonte West has long been rumored to have slept with LeBron James’ mom in 2010. Is West the reason James seemed mentally out of it in the 2010 Conference Semifinals versus the Celtics? Is it West’s fault LeBron took his talents from Cleveland to South Beach?

The biggest free agency signing in recent sports history may have had a little more behind it than most people realize. It’s never been confirmed, but Delonte West has long been rumored to have slept with LeBron James’ mom in 2010. Is West the reason James seemed mentally out of it in the 2010 Conference Semifinals versus the Celtics? Is it West’s fault LeBron took his talents from Cleveland to South Beach?

10. Patrick Willis

Patrick Willis

10. Patrick Willis

Patrick Willis — The 49ers linebacker’s career came to a surprising end on Tuesday, when he announced his retirement after eight years in the NFL. Willis’ life story before he entered the NFL in 2007 is simply incredible. He grew up in extreme poverty and had to take care of his younger siblings. As a teen, Willis and his siblings moved away from his alcoholic father and lived with his high school basketball coach.

The 49ers linebacker’s career came to a surprising end on Tuesday, when he announced his retirement after eight years in the NFL. Willis’ life story before he entered the NFL in 2007 is simply incredible. He grew up in extreme poverty and had to take care of his younger siblings. As a teen, Willis and his siblings moved away from his alcoholic father and lived with his high school basketball coach.

9. Bill Buckner

Bill Buckner Boston Red Sox

9. Bill Buckner

Bill Buckner Boston Red Sox — Buckner is known for perhaps the biggest error in baseball history. The Boston Red Sox were one game away from winning their first World Series since 1918. Game 6 went to extra innings and with the game tied, he allowed a slow ground ball to pass through his legs and the game-winning run to score. Buckner was hated for years in Boston, but has been forgiven since the Red Sox three World Series titles since 2004.

Buckner is known for perhaps the biggest error in baseball history. The Boston Red Sox were one game away from winning their first World Series since 1918. Game 6 went to extra innings and with the game tied, he allowed a slow ground ball to pass through his legs and the game-winning run to score. Buckner was hated for years in Boston, but has been forgiven since the Red Sox three World Series titles since 2004.

8. JaMarcus Russell

JaMarcus Russell

8. JaMarcus Russell

JaMarcus Russell — The former Oakland Raiders quarterback may be the biggest bust in NFL history. After a storied career at LSU, Russell was the No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft, but he was out of the league after just three seasons. He fell asleep in team meetings, went AWOL in organized team activities, might have been addicted to “purple drank” and ate himself out of the NFL.

The former Oakland Raiders quarterback may be the biggest bust in NFL history. After a storied career at LSU, Russell was the No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft, but he was out of the league after just three seasons. He fell asleep in team meetings, went AWOL in organized team activities, might have been addicted to “purple drank” and ate himself out of the NFL.

7. Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson

7. Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson — ESPN did a 30 for 30 on the friendship between Tyson and rapper Tupac Shakur and the night Shakur was murdered after a Tyson fight. Tyson’s life has been wild enough that he deserves his own special. His boxing career began with Tyson fighting like one of the best young boxers of all time to a three-year trip to jail for a rape conviction. Most famously, Tyson bit a one-inch piece out of Evander Holyfield’s ear during a fight.

ESPN did a 30 for 30 on the friendship between Tyson and rapper Tupac Shakur and the night Shakur was murdered after a Tyson fight. Tyson’s life has been wild enough that he deserves his own special. His boxing career began with Tyson fighting like one of the best young boxers of all time to a three-year trip to jail for a rape conviction. Most famously, Tyson bit a one-inch piece out of Evander Holyfield’s ear during a fight.

6. Tim Tebow

New York Jets Tim Tebow

6. Tim Tebow

New York Jets Tim Tebow — ESPN likely has enough coverage on Tebow to do a yearlong 30 for 30, since they talk about the former NFL quarterback every single day. Tebow’s journey from winning the Heisman Trophy at Florida to being drafted in the first-round by the Broncos to being out of the NFL completely just a few year later would actually be worth watching. Hopefully then ESPN will get Tebow out of their system.

ESPN likely has enough coverage on Tebow to do a yearlong 30 for 30, since they talk about the former NFL quarterback every single day. Tebow’s journey from winning the Heisman Trophy at Florida to being drafted in the first-round by the Broncos to being out of the NFL completely just a few year later would actually be worth watching. Hopefully then ESPN will get Tebow out of their system.

5. Manti Te'o

Manti Te'o Notre Dame

5. Manti Te'o

Manti Te'o Notre Dame — The tragic story of Lennay Kekua, the fictional girlfriend of Te’o, captured the hearts of college football fans all throughout the country. The former Notre Dame linebacker lost his grandmother and girlfriend, or so we thought, in 2012. It turns out, Kekua was actually Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, a family friend of Te’o’s who had developed feelings for the linebacker.

The tragic story of Lennay Kekua, the fictional girlfriend of Te’o, captured the hearts of college football fans all throughout the country. The former Notre Dame linebacker lost his grandmother and girlfriend, or so we thought, in 2012. It turns out, Kekua was actually Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, a family friend of Te’o’s who had developed feelings for the linebacker.

4. Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman Chicago Bulls

4. Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman Chicago Bulls — With his colored hair, multiple tattoos and piercings, and frankly crazy personality, Dennis Rodman was one of a kind. I’m sure there’s an endless supply of insane and unbelievable stories about Rodman during his career, making a 30 for 30 on his life well-worth watching. A segment on Rodman’s strange relationship with North Korea is bound to be fascinating as well.

With his colored hair, multiple tattoos and piercings, and frankly crazy personality, Dennis Rodman was one of a kind. I’m sure there’s an endless supply of insane and unbelievable stories about Rodman during his career, making a 30 for 30 on his life well-worth watching. A segment on Rodman’s strange relationship with North Korea is bound to be fascinating as well.

3. Pete Rose

Pete Rose

3. Pete Rose

Pete Rose — Pete Rose is baseball’s all-time hits leader, but controversially is not a part of the Baseball Hall of Fame because he bet on Cincinnati Reds games while he was the team’s manager. Rose is now 70 years old and has been seen signing memorabilia at malls in order to make some money.

Pete Rose is baseball’s all-time hits leader, but controversially is not a part of the Baseball Hall of Fame because he bet on Cincinnati Reds games while he was the team’s manager. Rose is now 70 years old and has been seen signing memorabilia at malls in order to make some money.

2. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao

Mayweather Pacquiao

2. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao — Mayweather and Pacquiao are set to fight in what will be boxing’s biggest bout in quite some time on March 2. They’ve been the two best pound-for-pound fighters in the world for years, but struggled to come to an agreement on the terms for a fight until earlier this year. Finding out more details of Mayweather’s absurd sports gambling habits wouldn’t be bad either.

Mayweather and Pacquiao are set to fight in what will be boxing’s biggest bout in quite some time on March 2. They’ve been the two best pound-for-pound fighters in the world for years, but struggled to come to an agreement on the terms for a fight until earlier this year. Finding out more details of Mayweather’s absurd sports gambling habits wouldn’t be bad either.

1. Dale Earnhardt

Dale Earnhardt

1. Dale Earnhardt

Dale Earnhardt — Earnhardt's aggressive driving made him one of the most popular figures in racing history. He won 76 career races and was a seven-time NASCAR champion, with most of his wins coming in thrilling fashion. Sadly, one of the best NASCAR drivers of all time was lost when Earnhardt passed away in 2001. In one of the most tragic incidents in sports history, Earnhardt was involved in a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500 and died of a skull fracture.

Earnhardt's aggressive driving made him one of the most popular figures in racing history. He won 76 career races and was a seven-time NASCAR champion, with most of his wins coming in thrilling fashion. Sadly, one of the best NASCAR drivers of all time was lost when Earnhardt passed away in 2001. In one of the most tragic incidents in sports history, Earnhardt was involved in a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500 and died of a skull fracture.

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