Apparently not much.
According to Forbes, they are the 10 most-hated people in sports.
With the exception of Vick and Marbury — who are both looking for work — everyone on the list is crying all the way to the bank.
This group just goes to show that many fans refuse to forgive or forget. No matter how long ago the transgressions occurred.
Johnny Mac hasn’t yelled at an umpire (outside a senior tour event) in over 20 years. Doesn’t matter. He’s been branded a punk for life even though he is one of the best and brightest tennis broadcasters in the business.
The same can be said for all of them. Either they are the best at their jobs or were one of the best in their fields at one time. But they are showered with more jeers than cheers because of past actions.
Nobody’s saying any of the Imperfect 10 deserve sainthood, but this unforgiving mentality is doing more harm than good.
Everyone should be held accountable for his or her actions, but there comes a time when hate takes all the joy out of the game.
It takes a special ability to get under the skin of the masses — and stay there. Perhaps when it comes to marketing dollars, being infamous is just as profitable as being idolized.
Alfred Lord Tennyson said it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Obviously, he never played sports.