Image via Complex Original
With professional sports leagues implementing more stringent policies on on-field player conduct over the last few years, athletes' pockets are being hit (word to Ndamukong Suh) and fans are starting to complain about the lack of intensity in games. But while some athletic misbehavior can be regulated, the refs can't catch everything, which is why dirty players like Bill Laimbeer, Ulf Samuelsson, and Bill Romanowski were able to wreak havoc in their respective sports. But what actions really define a "dirty" player? Concussion-causing hits? Physical abuse of refs? Grabbing balls (ayo!)? Spitting? Biting? Stomping? After research, we found it's all of those things—and a bit more. From the NBA to figure skating, MMA to NASCAR, and all sports in between, check out our list of The 50 Dirtiest Athletes in Sports History. Enjoy the mayhem and brutality!
50. Jack Tatum
Sport: Football
Career: 1971-1980
Dirty Highlights
The vast majority of Tatum's hits were considered legal back in the day, but they didn't call him "The Assassin" for fun. The defensive back struck fear in wide receivers and tight ends who dared to come across the middle while he was playing. His most infamous hit paralyzed Darryl Stingley during a 1978 preseason game. That's right, the hit occured during a preseason game. Tatum never apologized.
49. Zola Budd
Sport: Running
Career: 1984-Present
Dirty Highlights
The South African runner became infamous during the 1984 Olympics when she collided with and tripped American runner Mary Decker during the 3,000-meter race. Despite her dirty efforts, Budd went on to finish in only 7th place. Karma's a badder bitch than Budd ever hoped to be.
48. Antonio Margarito
Sport: Boxing
Career: 1994-2011
Dirty Highlights
Moments before his 2009 bout with Shane Mosley, Margarito was found to have plaster of Paris in his hand wraps. Margarito went on to lose the fight and had his U.S. boxing license suspended for a year. Fuck plaster of Paris, brass knuckles could have come in handy against Pacman in 2010.
47. Kobe Bryant
Sport: Basketball
Career: 1996-Present
Dirty Highlights
The NBA has two types of dirty players: openly aggressive ones, and those who pull cheap plays when the refs aren't looking. As seen in the video, Bryant's a member of the latter group. Just ask around the league and you'll find out that hotel workers in Eagle County, Colorado aren't the only ones to have been violated by the Black Mamba.
46. Cortland Finnegan
Sport: Football
Career: 2006-Present
Dirty Highlights
A combination of tenacity and aggravating tactics has earned this 7th-round draft pick a rep as a dirty player. That rep led to this well-deserved beatdown at the hands of Andre Johnson back in 2010. To add insult to injury, Roger Goodell handed Finnegan a $25,000 fine. Getting your ass whooped and paying for it? EPIC FAIL.
45. Raja Bell
Sport: Basketball
Career: 2001-Present
Dirty Highlights
Bell was always known as a scrappy defender, but his battle with Kobe Bryant during the 2006 playoffs gained him both notoriety and support from anti-Kobe fans worldwide. With one clothesline, Bell brought some WWE action to the NBA and justice for all enemies of Mamba. Protect ya neck!
44. Gaylord Perry
Sport: Baseball
Career: 1962-1983
The Hall of Fame pitcher admitted to doctoring baseballs (with spit or Vaseline) for the majority of his career, before finally being caught in his 21st season. We'll never know how many of those 314 career wins he would have earned had he not cheated. However, we do know that the mention of Gaylord + Vaseline made this ESPN ad one of the most interesting athlete commercials in history.
43. Reggie Miller
Sport: Basketball
Career: 1987-2005
Dirty Highlights
Miller Time usually meant clutch threes and buzzer beaters. However, it also meant push-offs, flailing elbows, and kicking out his legs towards defenders when launching those threes. Clearly, years of getting PWNED by his sister Cheryl forced Reggie to come up with a number of creative ways to win.
42. Robert Horry
Sport: Basketball
Career: 1992-2008
Dirty Highlights
Horry created an NBA legacy for himself by winning seven rings while creating a highlight reel of buzzer-beaters along the way. But he was also known for a bunch of dirty plays, such as this series-altering hip check on Steve Nash. The Spurs went on to win the series. Cheap-Shot Rob? No doubt.
41. Conrad Dobler
Sport: Football
Career: 1972-1981
Heralded by Sports Illustrated as "Pro Football's Dirtiest Player," Conrad Dobler did little to refute this name tag. A three time Pro-Bowler in his own right, Dobler would take shots at defensive linemen when they went up to try and defend a pass. What do we mean by shots? "I'd smack 'em in the solar plexus, and that got their hands down real quick." Effective? Sure. Dirty as hell? You better believe it. See, it's not just the defenses that don't like to play nice in the trenches.
40. Lance Armstrong
Sport: Cycling
Career: 1992-2011
Dirty Highlights
A few years ago having Lance Armstrong on this list would’ve garnered a ton of hate. “How can you hate on a man who raised millions to fight cancer!?” What a difference a few years makes. Last September Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and just last week there were rumors of him considering finally admitting to PED use. His alleged drug use isn’t the only thing that guarantees him a spot on this list though. From his relentless mocking of former teammates to his $100K “donation” to the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale), Lance has had his share of jackass moments.
39. Sammy Sosa
Sport: Baseball
Career: 1989-2007
Dirty Highlights
Sosa's taken a number of off-the-field Ls since retiring, like bleaching his skin and suddenly forgetting how to speak English when testifying in front of Congress. But he was fucking up even at the height of his career: Using 'roids + corked bat x still coming up second in the '98 HGH homer race = FAIL.
38. Kyle Busch
Sport: NASCAR
Career: 2003-Present
Dirty Highlights
From causing wrecks to flipping off officials and even breaking shit after victories, Busch makes watching cars go around a circle 400 times slightly more entertaining. The thing that makes Busch one of the most loved and loathed drivers is that he knows he's an asshole, but simply doesn't give a fuck. Capo status!
37. Nigel de Jong
Sport: Soccer
Career: 2002-Present
Dirty Highlights
De Jong's rep as "The Terrier" was solidified when he fractured the leg of Stuart Holden during a friendly and reached new heights with this Street Fighter-style kick of Spain's Xabi Alonso during the 2010 World Cup final. The Dutchman was guilty of another offense in October 2010, when another of his reckless tackles fractured the tibia and fibula of Hatem Ben Arfa. Forget "The Terrier," they need to start calling dude "Bonecrusher."
36. Roy Williams
Sport: Football
Career: 2002-2010
Dirty Highlights
In sports history, few players are so talented that they force the league to change the rules. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's and George Mikan's dominance are a couple of historic examples. But the "Roy Williams Rule," which banned horse-collar tacking in 2004, was instated purely for Williams' injury-causing style of play. The rest of the league's dirty players need to pay respect--homie changed the game!
35. Elizabeth Lambert
Sport: Soccer
Career: N/A
Dirty Highlights
Lambert earned a two-game suspension (and notoriety via SportsCenter) for going batshit crazy on the pitch, but we think she should be given props for bringing some needed attention to the sport. Women's soccer hasn't seen this much action since Brandy Chastain gave us two good passable reasons to watch back in '99.
34. Darcy Tucker
Sport: Hockey
Career: 1995-2010
Dirty Highlights
Tucker established himself as one of the NHL's premier cheap-shot artists by aiming for players' knees and even starting fights with opposing benches. Think hockey isn't the gulliest major pro sport? Just listen to the commentary: Only in the NHL can a hit that tears an MCL and ACL be considered "clean."
33. Rodney Harrison
Sport: Football
Career: 1994-2008
Dirty Highlights
As if three rings and Spygate weren't enough already, this scrappy and cocky safety gave everyone another reason to hate the Pats in the 2000s. In addition to being voted the dirtiest player in the league in 2004 and 2006, he was fined for more than $200,000 during his career and admitted to using HGH to help with injuries, but "never to gain a competitive edge." FOH.
32. Gilbert Yvel
Sport: MMA
Career: 1997-Present
Dirty Highlights
Three disqualifications in six years caused Yvel to loose his fighting license in Nevada. Those DQs came as a result of biting, eye-gouging, and knocking a ref out. Yvel's punishments remind us that MMA does have some rules though, action like this often makes the sport seem like it doesn't.
31. Luis Suarez
Sport: Soccer
Career: 2005-Present
Dirty Highlights
The Uruguayan striker gained notoriety at the 2010 World Cup when he hand-balled what would have been the game-winning goal for Ghana. Asamoah Gyan went on to a historic penalty fail, which eventually led to Ghana's elimination and Uruguay's advancing to the semi-finals. Also in 2010, Suarez added a savage element to his dirty-player repertoire when he bit PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal. Afterward, Suarez said, "No, I do not regret what happened. Normally I always keep calm but I didn't...I'm a little tired. This week I had to travel a lot." OK, that explains everything...
30. James Harrison
Sport: Football
Career: 2002-Present
Dirty Highlights
Harrison racked up $145,000 in fines for illegal hits in 2010. The linebacker even considered retirement because he felt he was being singled out by the league. However, Harrison quickly came to his senses and put retirement rumors to rest days later. Yup, those helmet-to-helmet hits haven't caused that kinda brain damage...yet.
29. Marco Materazzi
Sport: Soccer
Career: 1993-2011
Dirty Highlights
Materazzi gained worldwide recognition during the 2006 World Cup final as the recipient of Zinedine Zidane's headbutt felt 'round the world. However, true soccer heads knew that the "Matrix" was bitchmade and annoying long before then. Yeah, he deserved it.
28. Hines Ward
Sport: Football
Career: 1998-2011
Dirty Highlights
Considered one of the most aggressive offensive players in league history, Ward was voted the league's dirtiest player by his peers in 2009. This block on Keith Rivers' broke the linebacker's jaw; the NFL banned similar hits the following season. Don't be fooled by the permanent smile on Ward's face: Dude reps black and yellow, but will leave that ass black and blue. Ayo!
27. Ndamukong Suh
Sport: Football
Career: 2010-Present
Dirty Highlights
Just two season into his pro career, Ndamukong Suh has already been at the center of controversy more than Jim Schwartz would care to see. We all have our Thanksgiving traditions, they usually consist of food, family, and friends. Suh's starting his own tradition of stomping and kicking at opposing players on Turkey Day. Call it a bad temper, or a rush of blood to the head, but Suh is fast becoming known as one of the dirtiest players in the NFL. What is it about Thanksgiving that get's this dude so riled up?
26. Pete Rose
Sport: Baseball
Career: 1963-1986
Dirty Highlights
Everyone already knows about Rose being banned for betting on baseball, but dude was grimey way before then. Such was the case at the 1970 All-Star Game, when he rounded third and barreled into catcher Ray Fosse, who didn't even have the ball. Fosse suffered a separated shoulder and was never quite the same. Think Fosse cracks a smile each year Rose is ineligible for the Hall of Fame? Bet.
25. Dale Hunter
Sport: Hockey
Career: 1980-1999
Dirty Highlights
Hunter was known as a dirty player throughout his career, and this hit on Pierre Turgeon during the 1993 Patrick Division Semifinals was his most notorious moment on ice. Oh, it was a nice shoulder check—only a good THREE seconds after the defenseless Turgeon had already scored. The cheap shot separated Turgeon's shoulder and earned Hunter a 21-game suspension. That, friends, is what we call "blacking out."
24. Roger Clemens
Sport: Baseball
Career: 1984-2007
Dirty Highlights
With 159 hit batsmen during his career, Clemens had no qualms about beaning batters—or even throwing some hard wood at them (II). Some may question why Clemens seemed to pitch so angry, but c'mon, fam: If you had small balls in exchange for your success, you'd be pissed, too.
23. Reggie Evans
Sport: Basketball
Career: 2002-Present
Dirty Highlights
NBA players voted the Nets' power forward the league's dirtiest player back in 2010. Evans' "testy" misconduct during the 2006 playoffs earned him a $10,000 fine and an ejection, but no suspension. A league where players can be suspended for violating a dress code, but not for grabbing another man's balls? C'mon son!
22. Ron Artest (Metta World Peace)
Sport: Basketball
Career: 1999-Present
Dirty Highlights
From the pause-worthy playfulness of pulling down Paul Pierce's shorts to the gulliness of throwing 'bows with fans at the Malice in the Palace, Artest has covered all of the dirty-player (and badass) spectrum. Ron Ron is like our favorite porn stars—he's dirty as hell, but we still love watching him put in work. Ayo!
21. Alex Rodriguez
Sport: Baseball
Career: 1994-Present
Dirty Highlights
Whether it was using steroids or joining the Evil Empire, A-Rod's used all avenues to get ahead in the MLB. But for the purposes of this list, we're focusing on his bush-league play on the field. Prominent examples are his batty-man swipe on Bronson Arroyo in the 2004 ALCS and his shout at a Blue Jays third baseman while rounding the bases, causing him to drop a pop fly. Soundtrack please!
20. Mark van Bommel
Sport: Soccer
Career: 1992-Present
Dirty Highlights
This Dutch midfielder's hard tackles have brought pain and agony to a number of footballers across the Bundesliga and in international play. When van Bommel's coming after you, look out for your legs and, uh, your balls, too. Side note: What is it with footballers and grabbing nuts?
19. Albert Haynesworth
Sport: Football
Career: 2002-2011
Dirty Highlights
Fat Albert had been in the news all of 2010 with the Redskins as the NFL's No. 1 malcontent, but fans should remember that his trail of bitchmade antics goes back to his Titan days. Stomping? Where they do that at?
18. Chris Pronger
Sport: Hockey
Career: 1993-Present
Dirty Highlights
Pronger leads all active players in playoff penalty minutes served with 326, thanks to cheap shots like this. Dude also has a rep as a winner, making the playoffs in 16 of 18 seasons and appearing in three Stanley Cup Finals, winning one in 2007 with the Anaheim Ducks. Basically, if Pronger's on your team, you'll have a successful season and get to see him fuck people up. Not bad, eh?
17. Mike Tyson
Sport: Boxing
Career: 1985-2005
Dirty Highlights
Tyson lived up to his moniker as the "Baddest Man on the Planet" when he took a couple chunks out of Evander Holyfield's ears in their infamous '97 bout. Afterward, Tyson exclaimed, "Hannibal Lector ain't got shit on me!" OK, that last part isn't true, but with these classic tirades, is it really that unbelievable?
16. Sean Avery
Sport: Hockey
Career: 1998-Present
Dirty Highlights
Unlike most hockey players on this list, Avery doesn't use sheer brutality to get his opponents to hate him, but instead has mastered the kind of aggravating tactics that have enemies wanting to skate on his throat. OK, maybe not. But the league did implement the "Avery Rule" a day after he used this bizarre stick-waving technique to distract Devils' goalie Martin Brodeur. We're thinking the "No Bitchassness Rule" would've made for a better title.
15. Ty Cobb
Sport: Baseball
Career: 1905-1928
Dirty Highlights
Many claim that the 12-time batting champion was a racist. Not true. Cobb hated everyone: opponents, teammates, and especially those who dared impede him on the basepaths. The Hall of Famer was known for sharpening his spikes before games in order to use them as weapons when sliding into bases. Despite his rep, his nickname was actually "The Georgia Peach." #Haayyy
14. Karl Malone
Sport: Basketball
Career: 1985-2004
Dirty Highlights
The vid we linked to above shows the Mailman giving Zeke 40 stitches near his eye. Fuck The Rock and his "People's Elbow," a number of NBA vets will tell you the Mailman had the most devastating elbow in sports history. (And don't sleep on the slyly dirty tactics of his partner in crime, Johnny Stockton, either.)
13. Dennis Rodman
Sport: Basketball
Career: 1986-2000
Dirty Highlights
The Worm had a habit of getting under opponents' and officials' skin during his career. From kicking cameramen to headbutting officials to flagrant-fouling opponents, homie had no problem getting gully. The kicking of the cameraman led to a lawsuit later settled for $200,000, plus an 11-game suspension and what amounted to a $1 million loss. As one of the top rebounders of all time, Rodman went hard in the paint, no matter the consequences.
12. Todd Bertuzzi
Sport: Hockey
Career: 1995-Present
Dirty Highlights
Bertuzzi's rabbit punch of Steve Moore is still considered one of the most gruesome moments in sports history. The cheap shot effectively ended Moore's career and resulted in a 17-month suspension, along with assault charges, for Bertuzzi. Hockey remains one of the most badass sports, but this move was just ass.
11. Bill Laimbeer
Sport: Basketball
Career: 1980-1993
Dirty Highlights
As the only white dude starting on the Pistons' "Bad Boys" squad of the 1980s, Laimbeer used a combination of aggressive elbows, dirty play, and Oscar-worthy flopping to become one of the league's most hated players. In 1991, his aggressive tactics even led Nintendo to develop Bill Laimbeer's Combat Basketball, a science-fiction basketball game staged in the year 2030. It's ironic that Bill has become a successful WNBA coach.
10. Steve Downie
Sport: Hockey
Career: 2007-Present
Dirty Highlights
In seven years in the pros, Downie has already racked up two 20-game suspension. He's sucker-punched opponents, slashed refs, and knocked out his teammate's teeth while playing in juniors. Wylin' cause he's young? Yup.
9. Tonya Harding
Sport: Figure Skating
Career: 1985-1994
Dirty Highlights
In 1994, when Harding sent one of her goonies to club Nancy Kerrigan's leg, she catapulted herself into sports infamy and D-list stardom. Truth is, the video we linked to is only the second-most disturbing Harding-related clip. Remember, she has a sex tape. *Shudders*
8. Vinnie Jones
Sport: Soccer
Career: 1984-1999
Dirty Highlights
Before making his big-screen debut, Jones was known for making action movies on the pitch. He received 12 red cards during his career, including the fastest booking in football history, when he was sent off only three seconds into a match. Jones also had his share of pause-worthy moments during his career, starring in a video called Soccer's Hard Men and grabbing Paul Gascoigne's balls in order to "faze" him. Again, with the ball-grabbing. Ayo!
7. Bryan Marchment
Sport: Hockey
Career: 1989-2006
Dirty Highlights
With 13 suspensions in his 12 NHL seasons, Marchment was directly responsible for nearly a dozen injuries during his career, ranging from blown-out knees to collapsed lungs. Even in a sport full of goonery, Marchment was considered especially nasty.
6. Ulf Samuelsson
Sport: Hockey
Career: 1981-2000
Dirty Highlights
It's one thing to call a hockey player an enforcer, but Samuelsson took it to a whole new level...dude ended careers. Such was the case with this hit on Cam Neely and a high stick that hit the eye of Pierre Mondou. His controversial style of play earned him 2,453 career penalty minutes. They didn't call him "Tough Ulf" for nothin'.
5. Bill Romanowski
Sport: Football
Career: 1988-2003
Dirty Highlights
Brute aggression has to be a part of nearly every NFL player's psyche (sorry, kickers), but RomoCop took it to a completely unnecessary level. From spitting on opposing players to knocking out his own teammates, Romanowski's ways were more fit for backyard MMA than the NFL. Definitely a sociopath in shoulder pads.
4. Bruce Bowen
Sport: Basketball
Career: 1997-2009
Dirty Highlights
How did an undrafted guard carve out a successful 14-year career for himself? Hard work and determination? Nah. Sneaky low blows and an entire arsenal of dirty plays. He's widely regarded as the dirtiest NBA player in league history. Though we can't knock him for this elbow on Sasha Vujabitch.
3. Roy Keane
Sport: Soccer
Career: 1989-2006
The former Manchester United captain jointly holds the record for most red cards (13) in Premier League play. We all know that getting 13 red cards while playing for Man U. is really equal to around 30 on any other club, Red Devils indeed. We're just sayin'...
2. Luis Resto
Sport: Boxing
Career: 1977-1983
Dirty Highlights
After his 1983 bout with Billy Collins Jr., Resto was found to be using thinly padded gloves and hand wraps cast in plaster of Paris. Resto and his trainer, Panama Lewis, were later convicted of assault and other charges; Resto was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. Collins' boxing career was subsequently ended due to permanent eye damage. Less than a year later, Collins ran his car into a ditch, killing himself instantly.
1. Marty McSorley
Sport: Hockey
Career: 1982-2000
Dirty Highlights
With 3,381 career penalty minutes, McSorley had already established himself as one of the NHL's most brutal enforcers when his vicious hit on Donald Brashear became one of the most shocking moments in sports history. The attack resulted in an assault conviction and a one-year suspension (longest in league history); McSorley never returned to the league. Brashear suffered a Grade 3 concussion, but returned to play later that season. Marty should consider himself lucky that Donald wasn't more seriously hurt. He could've seen some serious jail time. Dirty!