Steve McNair
Sport: Football
Steve McNair, a former NFL quarterback celebrated for his dual-threat ability, faced a tragic end that shocked the sports world. After a successful career with the Tennessee Titans and later the Baltimore Ravens, McNair was found dead in July 2009 in a Nashville apartment, alongside his mistress, Sahel Kazemi, who had also been shot. Investigations revealed that Kazemi had shot McNair before taking her own life, a result of relationship disputes.
Oscar Pistorius
Sport: Track and Field
Oscar Pistorius, a South African Paralympic sprinter, became the center of international attention following his involvement in a tragic legal case. In 2013, Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, claiming he mistook her for an intruder in his home. Initially charged with murder, Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide in 2014 and sentenced to five years in prison, a verdict that sparked widespread controversy. After a series of appeals, South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal overturned the original conviction, upgrading it to murder in 2015, leading to a longer sentence of six years. In 2017, his sentence was extended to 13 years and five months after prosecutors argued the initial punishment was too lenient. Pistorius, once hailed as a global symbol of overcoming adversity after becoming the first amputee to compete in the Summer Olympics (the non-Paralympic version of the games), saw his sporting achievements overshadowed by the tragic events and his subsequent fall from grace.
Jayson Williams
Sport: Basketball
Jayson Williams, a former NBA All-Star, saw his promising basketball career overshadowed by legal troubles. In 2002, Williams was involved in the accidental shooting death of his limousine driver, Costas "Gus" Christofi, at his New Jersey mansion. He initially faced charges of reckless manslaughter, and after a lengthy legal process, he eventually pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in 2010, receiving a five-year prison sentence. The incident shocked the sports community, as Williams had been a charismatic and well-liked player during his time with the New Jersey Nets. Since his release from prison, he has focused on rehabilitation and speaking out about his struggles with addiction and mental health.
Jovan Belcher
Sport: Football
Jovan Belcher was an NFL linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs whose tragic death brought national attention to issues of mental health and domestic violence in sports. In December 2012, Belcher shot and killed his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, at their home before driving to the Chiefs' training facility, where he took his own life in front of team personnel. The incident shocked the NFL community, as Belcher had been regarded as a hard-working, reliable player both on and off the field. Investigations into his death revealed potential struggles with head trauma, depression, and relationship issues, raising concerns about the pressures faced by professional athletes. Belcher’s death also reignited conversations about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), although he had not been formally diagnosed with the condition at the time of his death.
Lorenzen Wright
Sport: Basketball
Lorenzen Wright was a former NBA player whose mysterious death in 2010 captivated national headlines for years. Wright, a well-known Memphis Grizzlies center, was reported missing in July 2010, and his body was discovered days later in a wooded area, having been shot multiple times. For years, his murder remained unsolved, fueling speculation and concern within the basketball community. In 2017, a major break in the case came when his ex-wife, Sherra Wright, was arrested and charged with orchestrating his killing alongside another man, Billy Ray Turner. Both were eventually convicted, shedding light on a murder-for-hire plot that shocked those who knew Wright as a devoted father and beloved local figure. His tragic death remains one of the most infamous cases in NBA history.
O.J. Simpson
Sport: Football
O.J. Simpson, a former NFL star and actor, became infamous for his highly publicized legal troubles. In 1994, Simpson was charged with the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, leading to what became known as the "Trial of the Century." After a lengthy and sensationalized trial, Simpson was acquitted of the murder charges in 1995, though many still debate the outcome to this day. Despite his acquittal in criminal court, he was found liable for their deaths in a civil lawsuit in 1997 and ordered to pay millions in damages. In 2007, Simpson’s legal issues resurfaced when he was arrested and later convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping after attempting to recover sports memorabilia in a Las Vegas hotel. He was sentenced to 33 years in prison but was granted parole in 2017. He died in 2024 after a battle with cancer.
Rae Carruth
Sport: Football
Rae Carruth, a former NFL wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, became notorious for his involvement in a shocking crime. In 1999, Carruth conspired to murder his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams, who was shot by a hitman hired by Carruth while she was driving. Although Adams died a month later from her injuries, she managed to call 911 and implicate Carruth before her death. Carruth fled but was eventually captured and convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in 2001, leading to a 19-year prison sentence. The crime deeply shocked the NFL and the public and became a news sensation, especially since Adams's son survived the attack and was born with permanent brain damage due to the trauma. Carruth was released from prison in 2018.
Aaron Hernandez
Sport: Football
Aaron Hernandez was a former NFL tight end who played for the New England Patriots before his career was derailed by serious legal troubles. In 2013, he was arrested and charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player, and was later convicted of first-degree murder in 2015, receiving a life sentence without parole. Hernandez's legal issues didn't stop there, as he was also implicated in a 2012 double homicide, though he was acquitted of those charges in 2017. His behavior and criminal charges shocked the sports world, given his promising career and athletic talent. Hernandez's personal life was marred by gang affiliations, substance abuse, and reports of mental health issues, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which was diagnosed posthumously. In 2017, while serving his sentence, Hernandez was found dead in his prison cell, having killed himself.
Ray Lewis
Sport: Football
Ray Lewis, a former NFL linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, faced serious legal troubles early in his career that cast a shadow over his Hall of Fame legacy. In 2000, Lewis was implicated in the stabbing deaths of two men, Richard Lollar and Jacinth Baker, following a Super Bowl party in Atlanta. He was initially charged with murder but later reached a plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in exchange for his testimony against two other defendants. Lewis received a year of probation, and the murder charges were dropped, though questions about the case lingered for years. Despite this controversy, Lewis went on to have an extraordinary career, becoming a two-time Super Bowl champion and one of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history.
Rubin "Hurricane" Carter
Sport: Boxing
Rubin "Hurricane" Carter was a professional boxer whose promising career was derailed by a wrongful conviction that became a symbol of racial injustice in the American legal system. In 1966, Carter and his friend John Artis were arrested and later convicted of a triple homicide in Paterson, New Jersey, despite questionable evidence and inconsistent witness testimony. Carter maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, becoming a prominent figure in the fight against wrongful imprisonment, with his case gaining international attention. After nearly 20 years in prison, his conviction was overturned in 1985 when a federal judge ruled that his trial had been tainted by racism and misconduct. Carter's story inspired books, songs, and a major Hollywood film, The Hurricane (1999), highlighting the flaws in the justice system. After his release, Carter dedicated his life to advocating for the wrongfully convicted until his death in 2014, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and activism.
Sean Taylor
Sport: Football
Sean Taylor, a standout NFL safety for the Washington Commanders, had his life tragically cut short in 2007. Taylor was known for his fierce play on the field and had been emerging as one of the league’s top defensive players. In November 2007, Taylor was shot during a home invasion at his Miami residence while trying to protect his family. He died the next day from his injuries, shocking the football world and leaving behind a fiancée and young daughter. Four men were later convicted for their involvement in the burglary and murder who stated they targeted Taylor's home, not expecting him to be there.