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Wastes of talent
doubledragon
Posts: 22,937 ✭✭✭✭✭
in Sports Talk
Biggest wastes of talent in sports history?
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doubledragon
Posts: 22,937 ✭✭✭✭✭
doubledragon
Posts: 22,937 ✭✭✭✭✭
doubledragon
Posts: 22,937 ✭✭✭✭✭
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First one that comes to mind for me is Johnny Manziel, that guy had ridiculous talent.
Off the top of my head
Vince Young
Lawrence Phillips
Jamarcus Russell
Ryan Leaf I believe was over rated so I'm not going to include him
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Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
if there's ever a wastes of flesh thread i'm locked and loaded
in terms of this one, the first name ready to fly off my fingers is brien taylor. #1 overall pick in the draft, injured his shoulder in a fight, never even made it to the majors, ultimately ended up in prison
This thread would not be complete without mentioning Len Bias
Michael Vick before the dog fighting thing happened was pretty darn good, after he returned he just wasn't the same guy.
Ricky Williams was a huge talent at running back, his career went up in smoke.
Ricky Williams actually got his Heisman trophy hooked on weed, and now the trophy is a lazy, washed up shell of it's former self, just look.
Ricky's Heisman trophy in 1998
Ricky's Heisman trophy today
As a long time Braves fan I remember the Pascual Perez days like they were yesterday. I pulled so hard for him. He had that outlandish personality on the mound but unfortunately he had personal demons off the field he could not control and ultimately died at a way too young age. He was so brilliant on the times on that mound and I wished he could have just put it all together and who knows what could have been.
Josh Gordon - Size, speed, unbelievable hands. Had it all but couldn't stop smoking weed and it destroyed his NFL career after 2 years.
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Justin Blackmon
Aaron Hernandez
Eric
Erikthredd’s MJ Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/publishedset/395035
Erikthredd’s Nike Air Jordan Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/basketball/key-card-sets/nike-poster-cards-michael-jordan-1985-1992/alltimeset/408486
Josh Hamilton
Not sure what the newspaper says in DD’s original post but if it says Joe Jackson he’s possibly the greatest baseball player of all time. That is the greatest waste without question
"I spent 50% of my money on alcohol, women, and gambling. The other half I wasted.
Ricky Williams has over 10,000 career rushing yards, which is surprising given all the drama.
Dwight Gooden - He was still great at times, but what could have been...
Florida/Miami phenom Jose Fernandez
He was just 24 years old and already so dominant when he died recklessly in a boating accident.
Curious about the rare, mysterious and beautiful 1951 Wheaties Premium Photos?
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/987963/1951-wheaties-premium-photos-set-registry#latest
On his way to being an all-time great. 2.58 career ERA in his four seasons - 6.8 H/9, and had a 12.5 K/9 his final season. He had potentially multiple Cy Young Awards in his future.
Such a waste.
Since I don’t care for the Mets, I can live with that quite easily.
How about Bo Jackson as a full time baseball player?
Todd Marinovich comes to mind.
Strawberry and Gooden as well.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
That's funny, because that was more or less the thought I had when I saw Johnny Manziel mentioned.
I'll nominate Tony Conigliaro.
Agree
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Ernie Davis - Syracuse and Cleveland Browns.
Not by his own doing.
Emoni Bates
Emoni Bates, EMU star, former No. 1 recruit, arrested on gun charge, suspended from team
Ypsilanti native and Eastern Michigan basketball star Emoni Bates was arrested Sunday night on a gun charge, the Free Press has learned.
Bates was pulled over by the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office at 10:43 p.m. when an officer saw Bates failed to stop at the intersection of Nottingham and Clark Rd. in Superior Township, according to the sheriff's office.
According to police, a firearm was discovered in the car upon investigation and Bates, 18, was taken into custody and held in jail overnight.
Bates was arraigned Monday at 14A District Court, wearing a jean jacket in a beige colored room, He only said his name, "yes ma'am," and his preferred address that court send his paperwork. Bates was released on personal bond. His next court hearing for probable cause is scheduled for Oct. 6.
Darrell Strawberry
Michael, Sugar Ray, Richardson.
David, Luke Skywalker, Thompson.
Marvin, Bad News, Barnes.
Marcus Dupree
"I spent 50% of my money on alcohol, women, and gambling. The other half I wasted.
Len Bias
and the draft pick right after Bias..........Chris Washburn
"The King- Ryan Leaf"
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Lawrence Phillips comes to mind
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
The best that never was
I watched the 30 for 30 and it's an absolute shame, Barry Switzer was a dirtbag and all the people that took control of this kids decision making were to blame as well
EDIT: the soon to be former Celtics head coach.
Sorry Todd!
Eric
Erikthredd’s MJ Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/publishedset/395035
Erikthredd’s Nike Air Jordan Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/basketball/key-card-sets/nike-poster-cards-michael-jordan-1985-1992/alltimeset/408486
Let's not get into the Celtics issue. I don't want to see a debate over how we should feel about these sorts of things.
Ryan Leaf is also a feel good story. He rehabbed, turned his life around and with the help of his wife set up help centers. I give him incredible cudos. He could have hid from public life instead tells his story and helps others. A bust as a player but as a human a triumph
"I spent 50% of my money on alcohol, women, and gambling. The other half I wasted.