Worst Athletes of 2005

Dec 27, 2006

From juiced up ball players to terrible T.O., check out the worst from the world of sports in 2005.

Worst of 2005 - Terrible T.O.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, Terrell Owens, made more headlines for opening his big mouth than making big catches in 2005. After demanding a new contract during the off season, Owens was suspended for a week of training camp for arguing with head coach, Andy Reid. Three months later, T.O. was suspended from the team for the rest of the year for criticizing quarterback Donovan McNabb, arguing with team officials and getting in a fight with a former teammate. Owens is still one of the NFL's top receivers and most exciting players, but his big mouth and bad attitude made him one of the worst of '05.

Worst of 2005 - Clint Barmes Attacked By Meat

Colorado Rockies shortstop, Clint Barmes, was an early favorite to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2005 until he broke his collar bone in June. The cause of the injury? Barmes says he broke his collarbone while hauling several pounds of deer meat up four flights of stairs. If you're a baseball player getting paid millions of dollars, can't you hire someone else to carry your meat?

Worst of 2005 - Rafael's Roids

Baltimore Oriole's slugger, Rafael Palmeiro, didn't help the reputation of baseball players at all when he tested positive for steroids in 2005. While other ball players have been caught using 'roids before, Palmeiro's positive test came just four months after he told the U.S. Congress, "I have never used steroids. Period." Rafael not only made this list of the Worst Athletes of 2005, he was also sent packing by the Baltimore Orioles, likely putting an end to his baseball career.

Worst of 2005 - Fighting Soccer Stars

Brawling and fighting is unfortunately not that uncommon in pro sports. Bench clearing brawls during a baseball or basketball game happen more often than a Hollywood celeb files for divorce. But it is surprising when teammates start throwing punches at each other while they're playing a game! That's what happened during an English soccer league game involving Newcastle United, when Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer came to blows. Bowyer and Dyer were apparently angry at each other because they both felt the other player wasn't passing the ball enough. The two teammates exchanged punches, before being ejected from the game, while Newcastle finished the game with two fewer players.

Worst of 2005 - Little League Loser

T-ball coach, Mark Downs Jr. of Pennsylvania, certainly rewrote the definition of "win at all costs" in 2005. Downs went to the lowest of the low when he offered one of his players $25 to hit a teammate with a baseball during warmup. The kid being targetted had autism and the overly competitive Downs was hoping a solid smack with a baseball would injure the kid and prevent him from playing. After the poor kid was hit once in the groin and once in the head by a teammate, he was taken out of the game. Downs was arrested a few days later.