His 4,256 hits were not enough to keep Pete Rose from agreeing to expulsion from Major League Baseball for life after evidence surfaced showing Rose bet not only on baseball games but also on the Reds team he managed. Although Rose could apply for reinstatement after 1989, the ban's first year, he is still in exile 25 years later.
Banned for life: Athletes and owners —
His 4,256 hits were not enough to keep Pete Rose from agreeing to expulsion from Major League Baseball for life after evidence surfaced showing Rose bet not only on baseball games but also on the Reds team he managed. Although Rose could apply for reinstatement after 1989, the ban's first year, he is still in exile 25 years later.
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Lance Armstrong's seven yellow jerseys seemed indicative of a solid gold reputation, but the Tour De France Champion and Olympic bronze medalist's image was forever tarnished in 2012 when the International Cycling Union banned him from competition thanks to evidence of career-long doping.
Banned for life: Athletes and owners —
Lance Armstrong's seven yellow jerseys seemed indicative of a solid gold reputation, but the Tour De France Champion and Olympic bronze medalist's image was forever tarnished in 2012 when the International Cycling Union banned him from competition thanks to evidence of career-long doping.
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The first female figure skater to complete a triple axel in competition, Tonya Harding scored a lifetime ban in 1994 from U.S. Figure Skating after her ex-husband attacked rival skater, Nancy Kerrigan. The U.S. Federation concluded Harding knew about the attack beforehand and engaged in "unethical behavior."
Banned for life: Athletes and owners —
The first female figure skater to complete a triple axel in competition, Tonya Harding scored a lifetime ban in 1994 from U.S. Figure Skating after her ex-husband attacked rival skater, Nancy Kerrigan. The U.S. Federation concluded Harding knew about the attack beforehand and engaged in "unethical behavior."
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For a fee of $20,000 each, Joe Jackson and seven of his teammates threw the 1919 World Series. Jackson received only $5,000 of the promised sum but earned a lifetime suspension from Major League Baseball's first commissioner in 1921 for his role in rigging the championship. "Shoeless" Joe's name remains on baseball's ineligible list despite lingering speculation that he did not participate in the fix.
Banned for life: Athletes and owners —
For a fee of $20,000 each, Joe Jackson and seven of his teammates threw the 1919 World Series. Jackson received only $5,000 of the promised sum but earned a lifetime suspension from Major League Baseball's first commissioner in 1921 for his role in rigging the championship. "Shoeless" Joe's name remains on baseball's ineligible list despite lingering speculation that he did not participate in the fix.
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Words matter. That's what Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling found out in 2014 after a race-fueled conversation cost him the right to have any connection to the NBA or its basketball teams. Although banned, Sterling has sued to maintain ownership of the Clippers.
Banned for life: Athletes and owners —
Words matter. That's what Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling found out in 2014 after a race-fueled conversation cost him the right to have any connection to the NBA or its basketball teams. Although banned, Sterling has sued to maintain ownership of the Clippers.
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Ben Johnson won the gold medal in the men's 100 meter final at the 1988 Summer Olympics but was stripped of the win after testing positive for a banned substance. In 1993, the one-time "world's fastest man" was stopped cold by a lifetime suspension from track and field competition after failing another drug test.
Banned for life: Athletes and owners —
Ben Johnson won the gold medal in the men's 100 meter final at the 1988 Summer Olympics but was stripped of the win after testing positive for a banned substance. In 1993, the one-time "world's fastest man" was stopped cold by a lifetime suspension from track and field competition after failing another drug test.
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Two-time Super Bowl champion, Dexter Manley's fans know him as the "Secretary of Defense." Over his cocaine-laced professional football career, he tallied 97.5 quarterback sacks but could not defend himself against four failed drug tests in four years, causing the NFL to sever ties with Manley for good in 1991.
Banned for life: Athletes and owners —
Two-time Super Bowl champion, Dexter Manley's fans know him as the "Secretary of Defense." Over his cocaine-laced professional football career, he tallied 97.5 quarterback sacks but could not defend himself against four failed drug tests in four years, causing the NFL to sever ties with Manley for good in 1991.
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Larger-than-life Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was no stranger to suspensions. After serving a 15-month banishment in 1974, he was called out for life in 1990 for "associating with a gambler" whom he payed $40,000 for potentially damaging personal information about one of his players. Baseball commuted Steinbrenner's punishment two years later, and he returned to his role as "the most hated man in baseball."
Banned for life: Athletes and owners —
Larger-than-life Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was no stranger to suspensions. After serving a 15-month banishment in 1974, he was called out for life in 1990 for "associating with a gambler" whom he payed $40,000 for potentially damaging personal information about one of his players. Baseball commuted Steinbrenner's punishment two years later, and he returned to his role as "the most hated man in baseball."
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In 1963, the NFL suffered a double black eye with the banishment of two of football's biggest stars for betting on their respective teams. The culprits, Packers stalwart Paul Hornung, left, and Detroit standout Alex Karras, admitted their transgressions and accepted the punishment, causing Commissioner Pete Rozelle to extend grace and reinstate them after only a year in exile.
Banned for life: Athletes and owners —
In 1963, the NFL suffered a double black eye with the banishment of two of football's biggest stars for betting on their respective teams. The culprits, Packers stalwart Paul Hornung, left, and Detroit standout Alex Karras, admitted their transgressions and accepted the punishment, causing Commissioner Pete Rozelle to extend grace and reinstate them after only a year in exile.
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Chicago Cubs hurler Ferguson Jenkins won 20 games in six consecutive seasons. Yet, in 1980 it was Major League Baseball who shutout Jenkins, making him the first ballplayer to receive a lifetime suspension for a drug offense after he was arrested for cocaine possession. Jenkins secured reinstatement that same year through arbitration and ultimately scored another first when he became the first Canadian-born member of baseball's Hall of Fame.
Banned for life: Athletes and owners —
Chicago Cubs hurler Ferguson Jenkins won 20 games in six consecutive seasons. Yet, in 1980 it was Major League Baseball who shutout Jenkins, making him the first ballplayer to receive a lifetime suspension for a drug offense after he was arrested for cocaine possession. Jenkins secured reinstatement that same year through arbitration and ultimately scored another first when he became the first Canadian-born member of baseball's Hall of Fame.
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What happens when a pair of baseball's greatest retirees and Hall of Fame members takes on public relations work for casinos? You ban them for life, of course. At least that's what happened to Willie Mays, left, and Mickey Mantle in 1983. The duo's work consisted mainly of playing golf with high rollers. Good sense prevailed and baseball lifted the ban in 1985.
Banned for life: Athletes and owners —
What happens when a pair of baseball's greatest retirees and Hall of Fame members takes on public relations work for casinos? You ban them for life, of course. At least that's what happened to Willie Mays, left, and Mickey Mantle in 1983. The duo's work consisted mainly of playing golf with high rollers. Good sense prevailed and baseball lifted the ban in 1985.
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Since Marge Schott's death in 2004, no female has owned a Major League Baseball team. Yet, Schott's inglorious memory lives on thanks to documented racist remarks and an unwritten policy prohibiting the employment of African-Americans within the Reds organization. In 1993, the league banned Schott for a year because of her bigoted opinions. She would return, bringing her insensitive gaffes with her. In 1998, with another suspension in the works, Schott relinquished her controlling interest in the ball club.
Banned for life: Athletes and owners —
Since Marge Schott's death in 2004, no female has owned a Major League Baseball team. Yet, Schott's inglorious memory lives on thanks to documented racist remarks and an unwritten policy prohibiting the employment of African-Americans within the Reds organization. In 1993, the league banned Schott for a year because of her bigoted opinions. She would return, bringing her insensitive gaffes with her. In 1998, with another suspension in the works, Schott relinquished her controlling interest in the ball club.
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Art Schlichter is serving a 10-year federal prison sentence related to fraud and cocaine use while on probation. This once-promising NFL quarterback was on the receiving end of an indefinite suspension for violating the league's ban on all forms of betting. Ultimately reinstated, Schlichter was cut loose a second time for gambling during his suspension. He would not take another snap in the NFL.
Banned for life: Athletes and owners —
Art Schlichter is serving a 10-year federal prison sentence related to fraud and cocaine use while on probation. This once-promising NFL quarterback was on the receiving end of an indefinite suspension for violating the league's ban on all forms of betting. Ultimately reinstated, Schlichter was cut loose a second time for gambling during his suspension. He would not take another snap in the NFL.
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Alex Groza led the 1948 U.S. basketball team to an Olympic gold medal, won back-to-back NCAA titles at the University of Kentucky and became a first round NBA selection. Implication in a point-shaving scandal during his college days brought the final buzzer to Groza's NBA career via banishment in 1951.
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Alex Groza led the 1948 U.S. basketball team to an Olympic gold medal, won back-to-back NCAA titles at the University of Kentucky and became a first round NBA selection. Implication in a point-shaving scandal during his college days brought the final buzzer to Groza's NBA career via banishment in 1951.
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