Aaron Hernandez is currently the representative for bad boy NFL players. Currently America's most popular sport is under fire for an image that's been badly tarnished by criminal behavior. From Ray Rice striking his then-fiancee in an Atlantic City elevator, knocking her unconscious, to former MVP Adrian Peterson abusing his young son with a switch, the NFL seems worse off than ever.
In the not-too-distant past though, previous law-breakers received as much media ire, and committed arguably worse crimes. Here are some of the NFL's most notorious, and famous criminals.
O.J. Simpson
No NFL criminal is more famous than "The Juice." The former college standout and NFL great was the defendant in arguably the most famous murder case in sports history.
In 1994 Simpson was accused of killing his ex-wife and another man named Ronald Goldman. Despite an overwhelming amount of circumstantial evidence, a dream team of defense attorneys that included the legendary Johnnie Cochran and Robert Kardashian were able to get Simpson acquitted of both murders. He was later found guilty in civil court for the wrongful death and battery of Goldman and battery against Brown.
Before that shocking verdict, there were numerous historic moments. One included Simpson leading police on a low speed highway chase while he drove an iconic white Bronco, and another was Cochran's insistence that gloves found at the scene of the murder didn't fit Simpson's hand, therefore he should be aquitted. In Cochran's words-"If it doesn't fit, you must acquit."
Simpson's lawbreaking was far from over. He is currently locked up on a 33-year sentence for an armed robbery in 2007 in which he stole sports memorabilia that he claimed was originally stolen from him.
Rae Carruth
The former Carolina Panthers wide receiver played three seasons in the NFL, but in 1999 orchestrated the murder of Cherica Adams, who was pregnant with his son. Carruth had an associate execute a drive-by shooting in which Adams was gunned down, later dying in the hospital. The child was saved after emergency surgery.
Carruth had been released from jail on $3 million bond, with a condition that if either Adams or the baby died he would turn himself in. When Adams died, Carruth fled however. Once caught he was sentenced to 18-24 years in jail for conspiracy to commit murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and using an instrument to destroy an unborn child.
Michael Vick
Vick, who is currently the starting quarterback for the New York Jets, electrified the NFL upon his arrival as the No. 1 overall pick of the draft. The Falcons' swift quarterback with a cannon arm was a major influence on the way today's game is played, and paved the way for stars like Robert Griffin III and Cam Newton.
He's more infamous than famous, however, for his role in a dog-fighting ring called Bad Newz Kennels that landed him in prison for more than three years. Vick admitted to personally being involved with drowning or hanging six to eight dogs, and knew of associates doing the same to other undeforming dogs.
His prison stint cost him more than $100 million, and animal rights activists often still protest his presence outside of games and practices.
Jovan Belcher
The ex-Kansas City Chiefs linebacker never made it to a sentencing after his heinous crimes. Belcher shot and killed the mother of his child, Kasandra Perkins, 22, and then drove to the Chiefs facilities where he was confronted by then-head coach Romeo Crennel and linebackers coach Gary Gibbs. Before police arrived Belcher shot and killed himself in the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot.
Sam Hurd
The former Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears wide receiver was slapped with a 15-year sentence for drug trafficking and distribution after accepting a kilogram of cocaine from an undercover officer in 2011. Hurd was involved in a drug ring that would span three states.
Josh Brent, Donte Stallworth, Leonard Little
These three are lumped together because of the tragic results of drunk driving, a crime of which they all were guilty.
Brent's case is the most recent. He had been charged with a DUI in 2009 and sentenced to two years in probation as well as 60 days in jail. In 2012, he drove drunk again though. After travelling at up to speeds of 134 miles an hour, Brent crashed his vehicle and killed Cowboys teammate Jerry Brown Jr., his best friend, in the process. Brent was convicted of intoxication manslaughter and sentenced to 180 days in jail and 10 years probation.
Little, like Brent, was a serial drunk driver who didn't learn from past mistakes. Little killed a woman named Susan Gutweiler in St. Louis in 1998 while driving under the influence, and was sentenced to four years probation as well as 1,000 hours of community service.
In 2003 he was arrested for making threats over the phone to a former girlfriend, and in 2004 he was arrested once more for driving under the influence of alcohol. For the 2004 stop he was sentenced to two years probation, but had pleaded guilty to misdemeanor speeding and not driving while intoxicated.
Stallworth struck and killed a 59-year-old man in 2009 while driving in the morning after drinking the night before. He was legally over the limit at the time he hit the pedestrian, and received 30 days in jail, 1,000 hours of community service and eight years probation.
Adam "Pacman" Jones
Pacman Jones is basically an NFL legend in terms of off-field trouble. His most notorious incident was in a Las Vegas strip club when shooting erupted after Jones and his entourage tried to recoup money thrown at dancers for "visual effect."
The strip club owner claims one of the strippers tried to take the money, which led to Pacman grabbing her by the hair and slamming her head on the stage. Jones' people fought with bouncers, and one member of his crew left with a bag full of money as well as two watches. Later, someone from Jones' crew returned with a gun and fired into a group of people. The shots hit three patrons, and paralyzed a wrestler named Tommy Urbanski.
Other incidents include a speeding violation in which Jones was traveling at 79 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone, being questioned regarding another strip club shooting involving his associates, and a 2008 instance of Jones striking a woman outside of a club.
Terry "Tank" Johnson
The former Bears, Cowboys and Bengals defensive tackle has a noted affinity for illegal firearms. In 2005 he was arrested for possession of a handgun in a Chicago nightclub and sentenced to 18 months probation and 40 hours of community service. A year later his home was searched, and the search turned up six firearms, including two assault rifles.
Earlier in 2006, before the search of his home, Johnson was charged with aggravates assault and threatening a police officer after mace was required to subdue him. Johnson had been arguing after his limousine driver received a ticket. In 2007, he was pulled over for speeding and it was noted that he was driving impaired. Despite no charges being filed against him, Johnson's latest brush with the law cost him his spot on the Bears.
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