Image via Complex Original
Do you want to see pain? Do you want to see despair? Do you want to see a bunch of grown men on the verge of tears? Then turn on the NCAA Tournament Selection Show later today and watch what happens when a handful of teams fail to make it to the Big Dance. Admittedly, a lot of them don't deserve to go dancing after the so-so regular seasons that they finished earlier this month. But still, you have to feel for guys who work so hard to make the most of March Madness and come up just short.
You also have to feel for a guy like Joel Embiid. He worked tirelessly all season long to help the Kansas Jayhawks earn a No. 1 seed in the tournament. But early this past week, he was informed of the fact that he has a stress fracture in his back, which is why he's struggled with back pain for more than a month now. And unfortunately, barring a miracle, he's not going to get the chance to take part in at least the first two NCAA Tournament games for the Jayhawks. And there's a realistic chance that he won't get to play at all during the tournament if the aggressive rehab that he's undergoing on his back right now doesn't go well.
Embiid isn't the only person you have to feel for this week, either. Outside of the college basketball world, there were quite a few other folks who had rough weeks as well. Just check out our list of the 10 Sports People Who Had a Worse Week Than You.
Steve Smith
Date: 3/13/2014
The 35-year-old wide receiver has spent more than a decade catching passes for the Carolina Panthers. So he was a little upset—er, make that very upset—when the Panthers tried to trade him early last week and then ultimately decided to release him. He promised "blood and guts everywhere" if he ever happens to play against the Panthers in the future. Fortunately, he signed a deal with the Baltimore Ravens on Friday and will resume his NFL career there (he also will play the Panthers next year!). But we imagine the hurt that he experienced when the Panthers cut ties with him won't be going away anytime soon.
Dottie Sandusky
Date: 3/12/2014
For the first time since her husband Jerry was thrown into jail for sexually abusing young boys, Mrs. Sandusky sat down with Today host Matt Lauer and revealed that she believes her husband is innocent of any and all crimes. She also said that she thinks lawyers are to blame for all of the accusations that Sandusky's victims made during his trial. And as you might expect, people did not take too kindly to her comments.
Brandon Knight
Date: 3/10/2014
This past week marked one year since Knight—who was then a member of the Pistons—got posterized by DeAndre Jordan. So why does he deserve a spot on this list in 2014? Well, because there were thousands and thousands of people who were more than happy to bring up the anniversary of the dunk on Twitter this week and kill Knight off again with "R.I.P." tweets. He's officially never going to live down DJ's dunk.
Joel Embiid
Date: 3/11/2014
If everything goes well with the Kansas star's rehab, he should be able to make it back to the Jayhawks in time to play in the second half of the 2014 NCAA Tournament (assuming, of course, Kansas makes it that far). But Embiid found out he has a stress fracture in his back, and he might be sidelined for the entire tournament if things don't heal properly. It could also conceivably affect his decision to enter the 2014 NBA Draft this spring. So here's to hoping he heals quickly.
Blake Griffin
Dates: 3/10/2014 and 3/12/13
The Clippers forward continues to dominate on the court. He's averaging 24.4 points and 9.7 rebounds right now and could make a late push to be the MVP of the league. But he also seems to be making quite a few enemies along the way. Early last week, Suns forward P.J. Tucker got so mad when he was boxing out against Griffin that he took a swing at him and got ejected from a game. And later in the week, Jermaine O'Neal didn't like something Griffin did on the court and attempted to confront him outside of the Clippers locker room after a game. We don't know what Griffin is doing to piss people off. But he better be careful.
Jah Reid
Date: 3/10/2014
Since the Super Bowl, there have been three different Baltimore Ravens players who have been arrested. First, running back Ray Rice got busted. Then, wide receiver Deonte Thompson got thrown into handcuffs. And last weekend, Reid became the third member of the Ravens to get locked up after he allegedly attacked several people inside of a Key West, Fla. strip club. What gives, guys?
Kevin Durant
Date: 3/9/2014
KD is an amazing basketball player. In fact, he might be the best basketball player in the world right now. But if he doesn't find a way to rid himself of Lil B's curse, he's going to be in some serious trouble!
Darren Sproles' Wife Michel
Date: 3/13/2014
Last week, the New Orleans Saints decided that they were going to part ways with Sproles by trading him. And that didn't sit well with his wife, who couldn't believe that the team was going to give up on him after everything that he had done for the city. "I understand this is a brutal business," she wrote in an Instagram post, "but when u have a good guy who works hard & does a lot for the community u would think they would show a little more respect." Fortunately for her, Sproles was eventually traded to the Philadelphia Eagles and given a new two-year contract.
Floyd Mayweather
Date: 3/12/2014
Details surrounding the story are still very sketchy. But according to a TMZ Sports report, Money May orchestrated the brutal beatdown of two of his former employees, who he suspected of stealing jewelry from him. The men sustained broken bones in their arms and legs recently after they reportedly showed up to a meeting with Mayweather and were allegedly assaulted by a bunch of men who used weapons. Mayweather hasn't been charged with any crime at this time. But the men have obtained lawyers and legal action could be coming.
Darren Sharper
Date: 3/12/2014
Another week, another sexual assault charge for Sharper. This time, he's being charged with sexual assault in the state of Arizona for allegedly sexual assaulting two females back in November. We hate to make light of this situation. But same time, same place next week, Darren? It sounds like you're going to be making this list a lot over the course of the next few months.
