Sports Stars Who Have Love/Hate Relationships With the Media

Robert Griffin III , Marshawn Lynch, A-Rod and more.

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Robert Griffin III Hits Media With Snarky Press Conference - Remember New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick repeatedly saying "we're on to Cincinnati" during a press conference heading into the team's Week 4 clash with the Cincinnati Bengals? Well, Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III took a page from the grizzled coach's book, saying his squad is "focused on San Francisco" nine times during a press conference. Jesus. The testy exchange just illustrated the point about how sports stars — coaches and players — can have a love/hate relationship with the media. Look how quick RGII went from sweetheart to disgruntled. Here, BET.com lists sports stars who have love/hate relationships with the media. Robert, you are not alone.(Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Marshawn Lynch - The man sat in Super Bowl media week with a visor pulled down over his helmet and avoided reporters, only telling Deion Sanders, "I'm just about that action, boss." For that, he was just hit with a $100,000 fine by the NFL on Wednesday for failing to make himself available to reporters. Think the media loves or hates him? (Photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

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Marshawn Lynch - The man sat in Super Bowl media week with a visor pulled down over his helmet and avoided reporters, only telling Deion Sanders, "I'm just about that action, boss." For that, he was just hit with a $100,000 fine by the NFL on Wednesday for failing to make himself available to reporters. Think the media loves or hates him? (Photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Geno Smith - You're either built for it or not — being an NFL quarterback is not easy. Just ask Geno Smith. Although the media gave him a chance, as the New York Jets did, it only took a few weeks for things to unravel and the heat to get to the young QB. After starting the season 1-3, Smith cursed out a Jets fan and then got testy with reporters later in the week when they brought up his backup Michael Vick. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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Geno Smith - You're either built for it or not — being an NFL quarterback is not easy. Just ask Geno Smith. Although the media gave him a chance, as the New York Jets did, it only took a few weeks for things to unravel and the heat to get to the young QB. After starting the season 1-3, Smith cursed out a Jets fan and then got testy with reporters later in the week when they brought up his backup Michael Vick. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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Alex Rodriguez - At one point early, early on into his MLB career with the Seattle Mariners, Alex Rodriguez was a media darling. Boy have the times changed. It's not that the media hates A-Rod. They just feel like they can't trust him...and for good reason. The New York Yankees slugger hasn't exactly been honest about all his indiscretions over the usage of performance-enhancing drugs.  (Photo: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Ryan Braun - Like Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun lost a lot of the media love he had early into his career and it's due to lying about the use of performance-enhancing drugs, which earned him a suspension for a chunk of the 2013 season. However, probably unlike A-Rod, Braun has a chance to get some of that love back — albeit if he stays clean and remains a star in the MLB. (Photo: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

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Ryan Braun - Like Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun lost a lot of the media love he had early into his career and it's due to lying about the use of performance-enhancing drugs, which earned him a suspension for a chunk of the 2013 season. However, probably unlike A-Rod, Braun has a chance to get some of that love back — albeit if he stays clean and remains a star in the MLB. (Photo: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

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Kobe Bryant - There's definitely more media love than hate for Kobe Bryant. More than both, there's respect. It's what the great ones demand and Bryant, a five-time champion, gets it...but not all the time. When ESPN placed him as No. 40 on their top NBA players list, even insinuating that he's dragging the Lakers down with him, Bryant called them a "bunch of idiots" and has proceeded to lead the NBA in scoring. (Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)

Craig Sager's Son Interviews Gregg Popovich - Craig Sager has been a fixture in NBA games as a sideline reporter for TNT for years. San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has always had a hilarious rapport with Sager, known for his gaudy attire. But when Craig was struck with leukemia, Sager Jr. filled in for his dad for TNT during the NBA playoffs. On April 10, Sager Jr. interviewed Pop, who traded his usual sarcasm with a heartfelt message to Sager. “Great job, great questions from Craig Jr.,” Pop said live on the air. “You did a great job, but I’d rather have your dad standing here. We miss you, you’ve been an important part of all of us for a long time, doing a great job. We want your fanny back on the court and I promise I’ll be nice.” The video garnered upwards of 500,000 views online. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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Gregg Popovich - Gregg Popovich will attack members of the media furiously, especially during in-game interviews, and he could care less how they feel. But the way the veteran San Antonio Spurs coach does it — with sarcasm and humor — it's not met with too much backlash. That and what are reporters going to say bad about the guy? He's a five-time champion. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Bill Belichick - Is there a more frustrating coach for reporters to talk to in all of sports than Bill Belichick? The longtime New England Patriots head coach is the master of brevity, taking creative, thought-provoking questions and shredding them with one-word answers. He has also been known to load up injury reports with players' names for as long as he could into the week before Pats' games to throw the competition off...not to mention, the media. (Photo: Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) 

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Bill Belichick - Is there a more frustrating coach for reporters to talk to in all of sports than Bill Belichick? The longtime New England Patriots head coach is the master of brevity, taking creative, thought-provoking questions and shredding them with one-word answers. He has also been known to load up injury reports with players' names for as long as he could into the week before Pats' games to throw the competition off...not to mention, the media. (Photo: Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) 

Jay Cutler - Jay Cutler may not have cashed in on a $126 million deal this past offseason if it weren't for the media giving him his props. However, those same media members are quick to tear him down when he's not performing well in a tough blue-collar city like Chicago. As they should. What has to hurt most is reporters' attacks on Cutler's personality and makeup as a leader of men.  (Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) 

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Jay Cutler - Jay Cutler may not have cashed in on a $126 million deal this past offseason if it weren't for the media giving him his props. However, those same media members are quick to tear him down when he's not performing well in a tough blue-collar city like Chicago. As they should. What has to hurt most is reporters' attacks on Cutler's personality and makeup as a leader of men.  (Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) 

Rex Ryan - New York City media loves Rex Ryan because he's always good for an eye-popping quote that jumps right off a newspaper page or computer screen. They probably don't like him because of the same reason. When you have to cover a coach or player who is liable to say anything, it often means more ammo for scribes to use against Ryan when he fails at his job.  (Photo: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

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Rex Ryan - New York City media loves Rex Ryan because he's always good for an eye-popping quote that jumps right off a newspaper page or computer screen. They probably don't like him because of the same reason. When you have to cover a coach or player who is liable to say anything, it often means more ammo for scribes to use against Ryan when he fails at his job.  (Photo: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Phillies Considering Releasing Ryan Howard? - What a rise and fall for Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard. According to CSN Philly, the Phillies have considered releasing the fading slugger, unloading on his contract, and starting fresh. No team is willing to take on Howard, 34, for the remainder of the $25 million he’s owed this year and the $60 million he is owed over the next two seasons. Howard, a former National League MVP, is hitting a paltry .224 with 15 home runs and 118 strikeouts through 97 games.  (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Ryan Howard - The back end of a love/hate media relationship with a star player can develop real fast, especially if it's in baseball. Yeah, the long course of a 162-game season will do that to you. Just ask Ryan Howard. The onetime fan and media favorite has been relegated to thorny veteran, one that reporters tip-toe around to ask why he's struggling so much. Frustration set in this past summer and Howard told reporters: "As far as careers are concerned, you have good years and bad years. This year's not over yet. You guys have seen me catch on, go on a hot streak and hit 10-11 home runs in a month." If the struggles continue next season, the questions will too. If that transpires, watch out. (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)