In a season that started out with talk of a Dream Team but ended as yet another disappointment, there’s more dubious distinction for Eagles QB Mike Vick.
Vick was ranked the most disliked athlete in a poll released yesterday for Forbes magazine. Vick, who had topped the NFL’s list, came in above athletes from all sports among those polled. While most Philadelphia sports fans have come to embrace him since he joined the team three years ago, casual NFL fans still remember him for his dog-fighting past.
Sixty percent of respondents rated Vick as someone they “dislike,” “dislike somewhat” or “dislike a lot,” which tied with Tiger Woods, although Vick was categorized more by “dislike a lot.”
While the results are unfavorable, the poll shows that it is based somewhat on popularity, considering disgraced athletes like Chicago Bears’ Sam Hurd, facing federal charges for allegedly trying to purchase massive amounts of cocaine, or journeyman Donte Stallworth who killed a man with his car a few years ago, did not even register.
Disliked athletes
Also on the list were some other goats across American sports:
Former Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress, who completed a Vick-like comeback this season after serving jail time for shooting himself. He played for the Jets this year.
Blossoming NFL bad apple Ndamukong Suh, who stepped on a Green Bay Packer during a nationally televised Thanksgiving game.
The former Mr. Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries, who was reportedly a likeable guy from Minnesota before his 72-day matrimonial romp.
Aging prima donna Terrell Owens, who hasn’t really done much this year except not play football.
Basketball stars LeBron James and Kobe Bryant also made the top 10 for their polarizing personalities.
