Just released is Sporting News’ “40 Most Hated Players of All-Time” and to the surprise of no human with breath in their body, several former Cowboys made the cut. The duality of being both “America’s Team” and “America’s Most Hated Team” could be a tough road to hoe if Owner/GM Jerry Jones wasn’t smart enough to know both sides of the coin feed the same bank account.
So in the interest of helping Sporting News further strengthen the Cowboys’ brand, here are their most hated former Cowboys.
SN: When you have a book called “Just Give Me the Damn Ball,” you know you have an outspoken and controversial player. Johnson developed a reputation and a nickname — “Me-Shawn” — that followed him throughout his career. He was deactivated from Tampa Bay’s roster in 2003 after continuous fighting with Bucs coach Jon Gruden. Johnson finished his career with 814 catches and 10,571 yards.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson dives for a pass that was long against the Washington Redskins during a Monday Night Football game September 19, 2005 in Irving, Texas. The Skins defeated the Cowboys 14 – 13. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
PW: For all of the knock on Johnson, he was a highly productive wide receiver in the NFL. In reality, he was no more selfish than most top dollar WRs who felt their targets were too low. Johnson’s faults are nowhere near many who did not make this list. If this is truly listing the most hated players since the birth of the NFL, I could drop a laundry list of guys to replace Johnson here.
(#19)Deion Sanders/CB(WR)
SN: “Prime Time” had a flare for the dramatic. He once showed up for training camp riding a Mercedes-Benz golf cart. The high-stepping showboat you couldn’t keep your eyes off of, Sanders talked a lot of trash and was a threat to score every time he touched the ball. Perhaps no player had that kind of supreme confidence, and that, of course, attracted the haters.
IRVING, TX: Deion Sanders (R) talks to reporters at a press conference 11 September in Irving, Texas after the Dallas Cowboys signed him for “significant dollars.” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (L), who declined to release details of the contract said “Its a done deal.” AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read PAUL K. BUCK/AFP/Getty Images)
PW: As a popular saying goes, “they hate me ‘cause they ain’t me.” This is never more true than with Sanders. For many, it wasn’t simply that his play was elite; it was the fact his mouth was equally as productive. One of the first NFL players to successfully build his name into its own brand, the Hall of Famer changed the game both on and off the field. His influence is still very much seen and felt in the league today. The bottom line is if others hated him so much, why didn’t they stop him?
(#11) Michael Irvin/WR
SN: The ’90s Cowboys were loved or loathed, and “The Playmaker” was at the front of all that. Irvin was arrested on charges of drug possession in 1996, and everybody remembers Irvin showing up for the hearing in a full-length mink coat.
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 27: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin celebrates one of the two touchdowns he scored in their game against the Miami Dolphins at the Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida, 27 October. The Cowboys defeated the Dolphins 29-10. (Photo credit should read CHRIS BERNACCHI/AFP/Getty Images)
PW: Nothing makes others hate you more than not caring about others hating you. This was more or less how Irvin went about his business daily. The only concern of his was his duty to his family, his Cowboys’ teammates and their coaching staff. An extremely passionate player, Irvin didn’t go “full Deion” off the field with his brashness. He’s hated mostly because he helped Dallas win multiple rings. Irvin didn’t get into the Hall of Fame because of how nice his mink coat looked; it was because he’s one of the best players in NFL history. Just don’t touch the coat. Don’t ever…touch the coat.
(#4) Greg Hardy/DE
SN: Hardy easily could be ranked No. 1 on this list, and perhaps he should be given the details surrounding a domestic violence incident which led to a 10-game suspension in 2015. Hardy then made several inappropriate comments and was a distraction while playing for the Cowboys last season.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
PW: Okay, got me there. Hardy is the horrible-smelling liquid leaking from a torn trash bag as you rush to get it to the nearest dumpster. Let’s move on.
(#2) Terrell Owens/WR
SN: Owens was a supremely-talented receiver, but he also was a supremely-selfish player who submarined multiple franchises during his playing career. Owens forced his way out of San Francisco only to have a two-year career in Philadelphia that ended with him doing sit-ups in a driveway before being suspended by the team. Owens resurfaced in Dallas, and that ended badly, too. After stints in Buffalo and Cincinnati, Owens’ 15-year career ended with Hall of Fame numbers. But he might have to wait longer because of all that damage.
IRVING, TX – OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Ter
rell Owens #81 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his third touchdown against the Houston Texans on October 15, 2006 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Texans 34-6. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
PW: Statistically, Owens is one of the best WRs of all-time. Socially, he was either great entertainment or a pain in the sitting parts; depending on who was asked. In Dallas, he helped the Cowboys reach the postseason again by becoming Romo’s primary TD machine before being accused of slandering his play. He’d later backpedal tearfully which is understandable because, well, #ThatsHisQB.
At best, three of the aforementioned four deserve to be named on this list. At worst, only two have earned it and it’s just odd 12.5% of the entire list is former Cowboys; especially considering there have been tens of thousands of players in the history of the National Football League (many of which are far more qualifying).
