Controversial Players That Make Sports More Interesting

Stars who stir debates beyond their field of play.

Attention-Grabbing Sports Stars Who Stir Debates Beyond Their Fields of Play  - Athletes like Alex Rodriguez, Kobe Bryant and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are stars that stir current debates well beyond their field of play. With Mayweather set to face Manny Pacquiao in a mega fight on Saturday (May 2) we take a look at the bad guys who people love to hate. The colorful characters who have us anticipating their next wild stunts and the polarizing players who spark debates over their ability. (Photos from left: Elsa/Getty Images, Stephen Dunn/Getty Images, Al Bello/Getty Images)

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Attention-Grabbing Sports Stars Who Stir Debates Beyond Their Fields of Play  - Athletes like Alex Rodriguez, Kobe Bryant and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are stars that stir current debates well beyond their field of play. With Mayweather set to face Manny Pacquiao in a mega fight on Saturday (May 2) we take a look at the bad guys who people love to hate. The colorful characters who have us anticipating their next wild stunts and the polarizing players who spark debates over their ability. (Photos from left: Elsa/Getty Images, Stephen Dunn/Getty Images, Al Bello/Getty Images)

Alex Rodriguez - So, let’s get this straight—Alex Rodriguez gets suspended for the entire 2014 Major League Baseball season, putting the media circus surrounding him to rest for one year. But with his return to the New York Yankees, the media circus is right back. Love him or hate him, anything he does can be front and back-page news this season.(Photo: Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

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Alex Rodriguez - So, let’s get this straight—Alex Rodriguez gets suspended for the entire 2014 Major League Baseball season, putting the media circus surrounding him to rest for one year. But with his return to the New York Yankees, the media circus is right back. Love him or hate him, anything he does can be front and back-page news this season.(Photo: Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

Kobe Bryant - The more we watch Kobe Bryant, the more we feel like he's okay with being the bad guy of basketball...and that's pretty cool. The NBA just doesn't feel the same without the Black Mamba at the top of his game and his third straight season-ending injury have more haters out in full force saying he's more done than ever. The fun of it is seeing if the five-time champion can prove them wrong. You know he's going to try.Colorful characters who make you watch to see what crazy shit they’ll do next (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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Kobe Bryant - The more we watch Kobe Bryant, the more we feel like he's okay with being the bad guy of basketball...and that's pretty cool. The NBA just doesn't feel the same without the Black Mamba at the top of his game and his third straight season-ending injury have more haters out in full force saying he's more done than ever. The fun of it is seeing if the five-time champion can prove them wrong. You know he's going to try.Colorful characters who make you watch to see what crazy shit they’ll do next (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Marshawn Lynch - Marshawn Lynch is going to do what Marshawn Lynch does. The Seattle Seahawks star running back is going to keep it short with the media and give opposing defensive lines that action every Sunday. Love him or hate him for it, Beastmode is going to stay Beastmode.(Photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

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Marshawn Lynch - Marshawn Lynch is going to do what Marshawn Lynch does. The Seattle Seahawks star running back is going to keep it short with the media and give opposing defensive lines that action every Sunday. Love him or hate him for it, Beastmode is going to stay Beastmode.(Photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Floyd Mayweather Jr. - Follow Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Instagram and you know he racks up extravagant purchases like he does victories in the ring. Okay...he cops more jewelry, cars and clothes than he ever could Ws in boxing. But as colorful a personality as Mayweather, with his "Money" persona, continues to be, his 47-0 record keeps boxing fans and even non-boxing fans wondering if his next fight will be his first loss. That magnet-like attraction keeps fans glued to him, despite controversial domestic-violence incidents and brash trash talking. There's no disputing the man's greatness and draw.(Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. - Follow Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Instagram and you know he racks up extravagant purchases like he does victories in the ring. Okay...he cops more jewelry, cars and clothes than he ever could Ws in boxing. But as colorful a personality as Mayweather, with his "Money" persona, continues to be, his 47-0 record keeps boxing fans and even non-boxing fans wondering if his next fight will be his first loss. That magnet-like attraction keeps fans glued to him, despite controversial domestic-violence incidents and brash trash talking. There's no disputing the man's greatness and draw.(Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)

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Yasiel Puig - At only 24, Yasiel Puig continues to be as multi-faceted as controversial as any baseball player. Whether it’s complaints about the Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder giving his best effort or taking plays off, nobody is doubting his talent. Hitting .296 with 16 homers and 69 RBI last season is proof of the latter. In only two seasons, Puig has proved to be as productive as controversial. (Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

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Yasiel Puig - At only 24, Yasiel Puig continues to be as multi-faceted as controversial as any baseball player. Whether it’s complaints about the Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder giving his best effort or taking plays off, nobody is doubting his talent. Hitting .296 with 16 homers and 69 RBI last season is proof of the latter. In only two seasons, Puig has proved to be as productive as controversial. (Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Richard Sherman - Ever since that rant after the NFC title game last year, Richard Sherman has carved out a reputation for being one of the most polarizing athletes in all of sports. He'll go out trash talk, but then back it up with his play on the field as arguably the best cornerback in the league. Because he's not afraid to say what's on his mind, some fans want to see him lose. Sherm hasn't let that happen too often.(Photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

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Richard Sherman - Ever since that rant after the NFC title game last year, Richard Sherman has carved out a reputation for being one of the most polarizing athletes in all of sports. He'll go out trash talk, but then back it up with his play on the field as arguably the best cornerback in the league. Because he's not afraid to say what's on his mind, some fans want to see him lose. Sherm hasn't let that happen too often.(Photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Tim Tebow - For every fan who likes the devout spirit of Tim Tebow and what he represents overall, there's a fan who thinks the quarterback's three-year NFL career was about two seasons too long. Crazy how after leading the Denver Broncos to a playoff win during the 2012 season, the NFL as well as football fans wondered how Tebow even got this far, condemning his QB skills for good seemingly. Yet, anytime his name is brought up, one can't help but be drawn in by the polarizing figure. (Photo: Robin Marchant/Getty Images For ESPN)

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Tim Tebow - For every fan who likes the devout spirit of Tim Tebow and what he represents overall, there's a fan who thinks the quarterback's three-year NFL career was about two seasons too long. Crazy how after leading the Denver Broncos to a playoff win during the 2012 season, the NFL as well as football fans wondered how Tebow even got this far, condemning his QB skills for good seemingly. Yet, anytime his name is brought up, one can't help but be drawn in by the polarizing figure. (Photo: Robin Marchant/Getty Images For ESPN)

Johnny Manziel - There aren't too many athletes, who are more polarizing than Johnny Manziel is today. You want to root for the Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback, but rumored reports of him partying too much made it feel as though he isn't ready for the responsibility that comes with being a franchise NFL QB just yet. However, him voluntarily entering rehab shows that he's willing enough to admit he has a problem and we find ourselves back to rooting for the kid. Let's see what he does with the spotlight this time around.(Photo: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

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Johnny Manziel - There aren't too many athletes, who are more polarizing than Johnny Manziel is today. You want to root for the Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback, but rumored reports of him partying too much made it feel as though he isn't ready for the responsibility that comes with being a franchise NFL QB just yet. However, him voluntarily entering rehab shows that he's willing enough to admit he has a problem and we find ourselves back to rooting for the kid. Let's see what he does with the spotlight this time around.(Photo: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Lolo Jones - Lolo Jones isn't afraid to tweet, er, speak her mind...and it seems to divide her popularity amongst the public. Some like her what saying what she believes; others can't stand her for opening her mouth. In the past couple of years, the U.S. Olympian track star has made controversial comments about the Trayvon Martin case and also about paralyzed ex-Rutgers star Eric LeGrand. Chances are Lolo is going to keep tweeting her mind...and we're either going to be left cringing or supporting. The epitome of polarizing. (Photo: Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

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Lolo Jones - Lolo Jones isn't afraid to tweet, er, speak her mind...and it seems to divide her popularity amongst the public. Some like her what saying what she believes; others can't stand her for opening her mouth. In the past couple of years, the U.S. Olympian track star has made controversial comments about the Trayvon Martin case and also about paralyzed ex-Rutgers star Eric LeGrand. Chances are Lolo is going to keep tweeting her mind...and we're either going to be left cringing or supporting. The epitome of polarizing. (Photo: Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Tiger Woods - While his lurid tales of his extramarital affairs are a thing of the past, what's present for Tiger Woods is the simple question of whether or not the 39-year-old can still compete on a high level and win PGA Tour competitions. Woods is currently on leave from the Tour and that just adds to intrigue on whether Tiger's golf game still has some bite. (Photo: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

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Tiger Woods - While his lurid tales of his extramarital affairs are a thing of the past, what's present for Tiger Woods is the simple question of whether or not the 39-year-old can still compete on a high level and win PGA Tour competitions. Woods is currently on leave from the Tour and that just adds to intrigue on whether Tiger's golf game still has some bite. (Photo: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)