Chad Johnson and 15 Former Sports Stars Who Have Fallen On Hard Times

Chad Johnson and 15 Former Sports Stars Who Have Fallen On Hard Times

By Andrew Fisher

April 17, 2014

Chad Johnson and 10 Former Stars Who Just Need To Hang It Up

Chad Johnson-Twitter — Chad Johnson has fallen a long way since playing for the Patriots back in 2011. He's now so desperate to play football (and possibly for money) that he's signed on to play for the CFL's Montreal Alouettes.

If he just loves the game, good for him. But either way, his fall from grace has been a sad one.

Here are 10 more athletes like Ochocinco that have fallen on hard professional times:

Chad Johnson has fallen a long way since playing for the Patriots back in 2011. He's now so desperate to play football (and possibly for money) that he's signed on to play for the CFL's Montreal Alouettes.

If he just loves the game, good for him. But either way, his fall from grace has been a sad one.

Here are 10 more athletes like Ochocinco that have fallen on hard professional times:

15. Steven Jackson

Steven Jackson

15. Steven Jackson

Steven Jackson — Once a star NFL running back, Jackson has watched time take a serious toll on his talent. While he's still capable of making big plays, his health could force him to hang it up soon.

Once a star NFL running back, Jackson has watched time take a serious toll on his talent. While he's still capable of making big plays, his health could force him to hang it up soon.

14. Steve Nash

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Lakers

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14. Steve Nash

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Lakers — Although Nash will go down as one of the greatest point guards in history, it's time for him to hang it up. He's constantly injured and has proven to be a huge bust for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Although Nash will go down as one of the greatest point guards in history, it's time for him to hang it up. He's constantly injured and has proven to be a huge bust for the Los Angeles Lakers.

13. Sidney Rice

Sidney Rice

13. Sidney Rice

Sidney Rice — If it wasn't for his one outstanding season catching passes from Brett Favre, Rice would be seen as a bust. Even after taking his talents to Seattle, he couldn't be the difference-maker he was projected to be coming out of college.

If it wasn't for his one outstanding season catching passes from Brett Favre, Rice would be seen as a bust. Even after taking his talents to Seattle, he couldn't be the difference-maker he was projected to be coming out of college.

12. Andrew Bynum

Andrew Bynum

12. Andrew Bynum

Andrew Bynum — After starting off his NBA career as an All-Star, Bynum quickly proved to be nothing more than a baby in a big man's body. His immaturity and unwillingness to to dedicate himself to his craft will always keep him from reaching his full potential.

After starting off his NBA career as an All-Star, Bynum quickly proved to be nothing more than a baby in a big man's body. His immaturity and unwillingness to to dedicate himself to his craft will always keep him from reaching his full potential.

11. Greg Oden

Greg Oden

11. Greg Oden

Miami Heat v Golden State Warriors — No matter what team he finds his way onto, Oden can't seem to take advantage of his natural tools. Despite his size and abilities, the injury-prone big man will always be seen as a huge bust.

No matter what team he finds his way onto, Oden can't seem to take advantage of his natural tools. Despite his size and abilities, the injury-prone big man will always be seen as a huge bust.

10. Plaxico Burress

Plaxico Burress

10. Plaxico Burress

Plaxico Burress — After not playing a down in 2013, you have to think the end of the road is near for Burress. The 36-year old's stock has been on the decline ever since he caught the go ahead touchdown in Super Bowl XLII.

After not playing a down in 2013, you have to think the end of the road is near for Burress. The 36-year old's stock has been on the decline ever since he caught the go ahead touchdown in Super Bowl XLII.

9. Mike Bibby

Sacramento Kings v Dallas Mavericks

9. Mike Bibby

Sacramento Kings v Dallas Mavericks — Bibby hasn't played in an NBA game since 2012, but he's still not officially retired. Maybe 2014 will be the year when he finally declares he's played his last professional game.

Bibby hasn't played in an NBA game since 2012, but he's still not officially retired. Maybe 2014 will be the year when he finally declares he's played his last professional game.

8. Scott Rolen

San Francisco Giants v Cincinnati Reds - Game Four

8. Scott Rolen

San Francisco Giants v Cincinnati Reds - Game Four — The former All-Star was one of the best third basemen in MLB for years. But despite the fact that he didn't play at all in 2013, he's still officially a free agent and not retired.

The former All-Star was one of the best third basemen in MLB for years. But despite the fact that he didn't play at all in 2013, he's still officially a free agent and not retired.

7. Vince Young

Vince Young

7. Vince Young

Vince Young — The former college megastar had a good start to his NFL career, but as of late, he's fallen on very hard professional times. After being cut by the Packers in 2013, it seems unlikely Young will ever get another shot.

The former college megastar had a good start to his NFL career, but as of late, he's fallen on very hard professional times. After being cut by the Packers in 2013, it seems unlikely Young will ever get another shot.

6. Ed Reed

Ed Reed

6. Ed Reed

Ed Reed — Ed Reed is sure to be inducted into the hall of fame someday, but currently, he's just a washed up safety. It's unclear if he'll give it one more go in 2014, but if he doesn't, no one should be upset.

Ed Reed is sure to be inducted into the hall of fame someday, but currently, he's just a washed up safety. It's unclear if he'll give it one more go in 2014, but if he doesn't, no one should be upset.

5. Matt Leinart

Matt Leinart

5. Matt Leinart

Matt Leinart — From Heisman trophy winner to NFL bust. That's been the career of Matt Leinart. He's still available for teams to pick up, but the chances of him ever playing in another NFL game are slim and none.

From Heisman trophy winner to NFL bust. That's been the career of Matt Leinart. He's still available for teams to pick up, but the chances of him ever playing in another NFL game are slim and none.

4. Chauncey Billups

Chauncey Billups-Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

4. Chauncey Billups

Chauncey Billups-Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports — Mr. Big Shot was great for so many years, but it looks like his body is finally giving out. After playing just 19 games in 2013-14, many are expecting him to hang up his sneakers.

Mr. Big Shot was great for so many years, but it looks like his body is finally giving out. After playing just 19 games in 2013-14, many are expecting him to hang up his sneakers.

3. Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez

3. Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez — A-Fraud is currently suspended from MLB and most fans are hoping he won't attempt a comeback in 2015. He'll never fall on hard financial times, but his professional career is in the tank right now.

A-Fraud is currently suspended from MLB and most fans are hoping he won't attempt a comeback in 2015. He'll never fall on hard financial times, but his professional career is in the tank right now.

2. Antoine Walker

Bakersfield Jam v Idaho Stampede

2. Antoine Walker

Bakersfield Jam v Idaho Stampede — Walker's story is one of saddest you'll hear. He went from millionaire NBA All-Star, to bankrupt and playing in the D-League. It looks like he's finally retired for good, but that's what we thought when he left the NBA back in 2007.

Walker's story is one of saddest you'll hear. He went from millionaire NBA All-Star, to bankrupt and playing in the D-League. It looks like he's finally retired for good, but that's what we thought when he left the NBA back in 2007.

1. Manny Ramirez

Manny Ramirez

1. Manny Ramirez

Manny Ramirez — Oh, Manny. How far you've fallen.

Once considered an all-time great hitter, Ramirez is now sadly clinging to his baseball career by attempting to play minor league and foreign baseball. Thus far in 2014, he's still jobless...

Oh, Manny. How far you've fallen.

Once considered an all-time great hitter, Ramirez is now sadly clinging to his baseball career by attempting to play minor league and foreign baseball. Thus far in 2014, he's still jobless...

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