The Most Temperamental Athletes in Sports History

From a young age, people are often encouraged to join a sports activity. It could be a group sport, like baseball, soccer, or football, or an individual sport like figure skating, gymnastics, or tennis. Regardless of which is chosen, there is no denying the intense competition across all athletics. The intensity and pressure to win at any level can be overwhelming but when it moves up to the elite level, it can be almost overwhelming. Perhaps the most temperamental athletes in sports history let the pressure get to them.

For athletes constantly in the public eye, masking their feelings when things don't go quite as planned can be difficult. In the world of sports, where highs and lows are showcased in every competition or game, and just as fans cheer you, they will jeer you when you aren't at the top of your game. No one likes to lose, but in the sports world, where the hyper-competitive personalities of athletes are combined with the insanely intense pressure of competing in high-profile and often high-stakes events, anyone can lose their cool.

To compile a list of the most temperamental athletes in sports history, 24/7 Tempo consulted ESPN and other sports websites, as well as other sources, like YouTube. Only athletes who have lost their tempers multiple times during the competition were included. Athletes typically take losses or bad calls as part of the game and move on to the next event, yet some are unable to control their temper and can be provoked at the slightest perceived offense.

Fights can erupt with anyone at any time, from teammates, opponents, and coaches to officials and fans themselves, which has led to fines and suspensions. In today's social media climate, every outburst and every word is often documented on sites like YouTube, TikTok, or X (formerly known as Twitter), and athletes can't deny their behavior. These anger management issues have tainted otherwise stellar careers. (These are some scandals that rocked the sports world.)

Here are athletes renowned for their fiery tempers.

• Athletic pursuit: NBA Basketball

Stoudemire began his career as Rookie of the Year in 2003 and went on to play in six NBA All-Star games and get named to the All-NBA team five times. But his talent may have been overshadowed by flashes of temper and ill-advised comments. When he played with the New York Knicks, he was so frustrated over a playoff loss that he slammed his hand against a fire extinguisher, suffering cuts.

When he played in Israel in 2017, Stoudemire said he would "shower across the street" if he knew a teammate was gay. He later said he was joking and apologized, but added, "There's always truth in a joke."

• Athletic pursuit: Ice Hockey

During a game in 2016, Andrew Shaw was put in the penalty box but rather than using the time to reflect on what he did or cheer on his teammates, he proceeded to smash his hockey stick into pieces and yell obscenities at the officials. Last year, the now much calmer former Canadian and Blackhawks player retired due to repeated concussions, acknowledging that his hard-charging style made it difficult to continue to compete.

• Athletic pursuit: Tennis

In 2011, after losing a set, the tennis star blamed it on his racket, smashing into the ground. He was warned by officials. But later, after a double fault, he launched the ball into the stands home-run style. Roddick argued the shot was a "lob," but the unconvinced referee dinged him a penalty.

• Athletic pursuit: Major League Baseball

Former Chicago Cub pitcher Carlos Zambrano led his team to three NL Central titles in the first decade of the 2000s. The beefy Venezuelan was also an excellent hitter but those close to him saw a different side. In 2007, he brawled with teammate Michael Barrett, sending him to the hospital.

Two years later, Zambrano was slapped with a six-game suspension and a fine after losing it following an ejection from a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2010, he stirred it up with his first baseman, Derrek Lee, forcing the Cubs to suspend him.

• Athletic pursuit: UFC mixed martial arts

McGregor doesn't always confine his anger to the ring against professional opponents, and over the years, has been involved in altercations with a television executive, a referee, rapper Machine Gun Kelly, an older gentleman in a Dublin bar, and most dangerously, the father of a drug dealer.

In 2018, McGregor was hit with a disorderly conduct charge for mixing it up with UFC lightweight contender and rival Khabib Nurmagodov at a press conference for a match he wasn't involved in. McGregor was reportedly upset because the UFC stripped him of his championship belt and awarded it to another fighter.

• Athletic pursuit: Race-car driver

In the NASCAR world, where one wrong move could result in a crash, Danica Patrick isn't shy about telling her competitors how she feels, and in colorful language. She once got into it with racing legend Dale Earnhardt, who she blamed for a wreck at a Kentucky speedway. Her team was also on the receiving end of her anger after that same crash when she hurled obscenities at them.

At another meet in Daytona, she laced into fellow driver Denny Hamlin after her car crashed. She even wrecked the cars of her boyfriend, racer Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., during races in 2013.

• Athletic pursuit: Basketball

Rodman had an over-the-top appearance coupled with a matching personality. He was known both for his rebounding ability and his scuffles with officials and others. In 1996, he was suspended for six games and fined more than $203,926 for head-butting a referee.

He was so incensed by his subsequent ejection that he ripped off his shirt and berated the referees. A year later, he kicked a cameraman after he tripped in a game against the Timberwolves. Besides an 11-game suspension, Rodman had to pay a $25,000 fine to the NBA and a $200,000 settlement to the cameraman.

• Athletic pursuit: Football

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant has a history of throwing tantrums. In a game against Detroit in 2013, Bryant was seen screaming at teammates, later explaining, "My passion is always positive." At another game against Minnesota that same year, Bryant was tagged with an unsportsmanlike penalty for yelling at the referees after a pass interference call.

An ESPN article reported Bryant had an alleged violent confrontation with his mother. The article points out that his emotional outbursts may be due to an unstable environment growing up. In 1997, when he was 8, his mother was arrested for selling crack cocaine and served 18 months in jail. In 2009, she was arrested again on drug charges but got off with 10 years probation.

• Athletic pursuit: Boxing

During a press conference publicizing their upcoming exhibition match, boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and YouTube star Logan Paul started the fight early. The two exchanged some not-so-pleasant words after Paul swiped Mayweather's hat, which provoked the boxer to hurl a few jabs and death threats at Paul.

Outside the ring, Mayweather served 90 days in prison in 2011 for abusing the mother of his three children and allegedly has had run-ins with other girlfriends.

• Athletic pursuit: Soccer

Barton has since retired from the pitch, but the QPR, Newcastle, and Man City infielder left behind an indelible reputation as a brawler. Twice convicted and jailed for violent crimes and charged with violent behavior by the Football Association three times, Barton has also reportedly been responsible for assaulting young fans and for illegal hits on opponents.

• Athletic pursuit: Tennis

Whether considered brash or obnoxious, John McEnroe certainly livened up the sometimes staid world of tennis. The "Superbrat of Tennis" is famous both for his Grand Slam titles and for fiery outbursts on the court against officials, opponents, and even fans. He first uttered his famous insult – "You cannot be serious!" – at the 1981 Wimbledon match against Bjorn Borg.

He reportedly called Czechoslovakian player Tomas Smid a "communist bаstard," and in 1990, he was disqualified from the Australian Open for unsportsmanlike conduct. Today, he works as a commentator and keeps his temper (mostly) in check.

• Athletic pursuit: Soccer

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga caused a scene in a match last year when he refused his coach's order to leave the field, later apologizing, explaining it was a misunderstanding over a possible injury to his leg. In a video of the incident, Arrizabalaga is seen shouting and waving at the sidelines toward his coach.

• Athletic pursuit: Race car driver

NASCAR champ Kyle Busch's reported incidents include fighting with his pit crew and calling out his team publicly for errors. At a press conference following a losing race, Busch slammed down the microphone. Other times, he just stormed off without comment.

• Athletic pursuit: Basketball

Sprewell was once considered the next Michael Jordan. Although he had several run-ins with teammates, Sprewell's most infamous outburst came during a practice session in 1997. His coach at the time, P.J. Carlesimo, thought the Warriors star was lackadaisical. After some words, Sprewell grabbed Carlesimo around the neck and punched him. A 10-game suspension followed.

• Athletic pursuit: Soccer

Balotelli's reputation as a hot-head probably started after his team, AC Milan, lost a match against Roma in 2014. Upset, he got mad in a post-game interview, slamming his microphone and complaining about why everyone thinks he should score five goals a game. In the short highlight reel, Balotelli is seen punching a wall.

• Athletic pursuit: Boxer

No fighter was more fearsome in the ring in his heyday than Mike Tyson, but it was his violent streak that was seen both in and out of the ring that made headlines. In 1992, he was convicted of rаpe and spent three years in prison. After his release, he began a comeback, which was marred by one of the most controversial fights in boxing history.

In 1997, in his second bout with Evander Holyfield, Tyson was disqualified after biting his opponent's ear. In a book on his life, Tyson allegedly claimed that his best punch was thrown against his ex-wife, actress Robin Givens.

• Athletic pursuit: Tennis

Russian star Mikhail Youzhny seems to take his anger out on his racket. One time, he hit his head with the racket so hard blood streamed down his face. Another time, he destroyed the racket by hammering it against the ground.

• Athletic pursuit: UFC MMA fighter

Diaz grew up on the tough streets of Stockton, California, and carried his experiences over into the ring. He admitted he was roughed up as a child by older cousins and friends, but found an outlet for his anger in a local gym and began competing in jiu-jitsu tournaments at age 16. As a pro, he's been known to be surly after post-match interviews.

• Athletic pursuit: Tennis

At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Djokovic blew his chance for a medal after losing a match and throwing his racket into the stands. He also once batted a ball that hit a line judge. But his most controversial moment came when he was refused entry into Australia to play the Australian Open.

The country's immigration minister refused to accept the medical exemption Djokovic claimed he had for not taking the COVID-19 vaccine. He has since said that he would rather miss future tournaments than be forced to take the jab.

• Athletic pursuit: Football

When he was with the New York Giants, Odell Beckham, Jr., in a game against the Washington Commanders, became enraged over an interception by his quarterback, Eli Manning, and he beat up a net. He was heard growling after a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and threw a punch at a Buffalo Bill player in another game.

Then in 2017, Beckham punched a wall at Lambeau Field, leaving a gaping hole. Beckham appears to be much calmer after winning a Super Bowl title in 2022 with his current team, the Los Angeles Rams.

• Athletic pursuit: Football

Quarterback Philip Rivers had a hyper-competitive nature but his time with the San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts was marred by his temper tantrums. Although as one writer pointed out, the deeply religious Rivers always kept his rants clean.

• Athletic pursuit: Basketball

Scuffling with officials and even his coaches was Rajon Rondo's trademark during his NBA career. When he was with the Boston Celtics, he launched a ball at a referee, threw a water bottle at a video screen during a video session, and got into a fight with his coach, Doc Rivers. The latter incident was said to have prompted the esteemed Rivers to leave Boston.

• Athletic pursuit: Football

In 2021, NFL cornerback Richard Sherman was arrested in Seattle on charges of domestic violence and burglary at the home of a family member. His wife told the Seattle Times she and her children were unharmed.

The NFL once fined him $8,000 for making a choking gesture toward Colin Kaepernick. In 2014, when interviewed after a playoff win, he snapped "I'm so much better than the other guy". He later apologized, with speculation he was upset over a slight from an opponent.

• Athletic pursuit: Basketball

When he was with the Indiana Pacers in 2003, Ron Artest destroyed a camera at Madison Square Garden, earning him a $35,000 fine and a three-game suspension. He paid for the camera (worth $100,000) and explained he was upset over a foul by Latrell Sprewell.

In 2004, he went into the stands after a fan threw a soda at him in an incident known as "The Malice at the Palace." In 2019, Artest, also known as Metta World Peace, cooperated in a documentary about his mental health struggles.

• Athletic pursuit: Baseball

Texas Ranger infielder Rougned Odor's most infamous incident occurred in 2016 in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Still seething over an epic bat flip by the Jays' Jose Bautista during a playoff game the previous year, Odor exchanged some words with him around second base and then clocked him with a vicious right hook.

Odor displayed other anger management issues throughout his career. He once spiked an opponent and sparked a brawl with the San Francisco Giants after his questionable slide.

• Athletic pursuit: Football

When quarterback Ryan Leaf entered the NFL draft in 1998 he was considered the equal of Peyton Manning. But after initial success with the San Diego Chargers, he was seen yelling at a reporter after a crushing loss. Other times he reportedly made disparaging comments about Manning.

After bouncing around with several teams, Leaf, who admitted he liked to party in Vegas, quit after just 25 games, 14 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions.

• Athletic pursuit: Race car driver

In the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying rounds, Vettel grew angry when ordered to have his car weighed. He knocked over cones and sped off the scale, nearly hitting an official. He was fined €25,000 (about $28,750) for his reckless behavior.

In 2017, he reportedly deliberately drove into another car at a race in Baku, Azerbaijan, and as recently as 2022, he was fined another €25,000 for his behavior while driving at the Austrian Grand Prix.

• Athletic pursuit: Tennis

Arguably the greatest female tennis player in history, Serena Williams also has a record of blowups on the court, the most famous resulting in penalties for throwing a racket and arguing with the officials at the 2018 U.S. Open in a shocking loss to Naomi Osaka.

Before that, Williams threatened a line judge after being called for a foot foul at the 2009 U.S. Open. In 2011, she was cited for harassment for screaming at an opponent.

• Athletic pursuit: Golf

Golf is thought of as a gentleman's sport, with rules so strict they forbid talking while other golfers take swings which makes it a bit surprising to see one of the best, Sergio Garcia, throw clubs, destroy the green with a club, and pound sand in frustration after bad shots. Let's not forget the time he threw his shoe into the crowd.

• Athletic pursuit: Football

Fights between teammates aren't uncommon. But in 2008, Carolina Panther wide receiver Steve Smith got into a tussle with teammate Ken Lucas that left the latter with a cut around his eye. In 2002, Smith got into an altercation with a teammate, Anthony Bright. Bright suffered a broken orbital lobe.

• Athletic pursuit: Football

Owens' status as a Hall of Famer was never in doubt. He ranks sixth in all-time receptions, second in receiving yards, and third in receiving touchdowns. Yet his combustible nature led to several unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and taunting celebrations that marred his career.

In 2005, his coach with the Philadelphia Eagles, the respected Andy Reid, suspended him after the two argued. When inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2018, Owens skipped the induction ceremony because he reportedly felt slighted by not having been voted in sooner.

• Athletic pursuit: Race car driver

Steward is the only driver to win championships with both NASCAR and IndyCar Series, earning him a spot in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2020. Although he may be an outstanding driver, he has an infamous temper that blemishes his success. At a 2019 short track race in Minnesota, Stewart punched a fan who heckled him.

But his most shocking outburst came in 2014 when, during a sprint car race in Canandaigua Motorsports Park, Stewart struck and killed driver Kevin Ward when Ward walked toward his car after a wreck. Stewart, according to observers, may have wanted to scare Ward by gunning his car, but the result was tragic. Although a grand jury chose not to indict Stewart, he later settled with the Ward family in a civil lawsuit.

• Athletic pursuit: Basketball

During a stellar NBA career with the Houston Rockets, Vernon Maxwell earned the nickname "Mad Max" because of his behavior. Fans, referees, and opponents were frequent targets of his ire. He was slapped with a 10-game suspension in 1995 and a hefty fine after he went into the stands and punched a fan in the jaw during a game.

Maxwell claimed the fan uttered racist remarks, and in one video, he is seen going after a fan after a game. He's also gotten into battles with the greats Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley.