by Brian DiTullio - Analyst
Sometimes, relationships end. It happens.
And sometimes, there's nothing that can be done about it; the relationship has run its course and it's time to move on.
But parting ways can be ugly. So ugly that it can become almost impossible to ever deal with each other again in a remotely adult fashion.
Divorces can get cringe-worthy, with words spoken that can't be taken back and actions taken that cause irreparable harm.
Take the Brett Favre case, for example. His divorce from the Green Bay Packers was U-G-L-Y.
But in a top 10 list of the ugliest divorces in NFL history, he's not even No. 2.
The recent incident involving former Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson calling the fans "ruthless" after being cut? Not even top 10 in Cleveland Browns history.
That's just how ugly some NFL divorces have been over the years.
Step inside, if you dare, and see how nasty things can really get.
Sometimes, relationships end. It happens.
And sometimes, there's nothing that can be done about it; the relationship has run its course and it's time to move on.
But parting ways can be ugly. So ugly that it can become almost impossible to ever deal with each other again in a remotely adult fashion.
Divorces can get cringe-worthy, with words spoken that can't be taken back and actions taken that cause irreparable harm.
Take the Brett Favre case, for example. His divorce from the Green Bay Packers was U-G-L-Y.
But in a top 10 list of the ugliest divorces in NFL history, he's not even No. 2.
The recent incident involving former Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson calling the fans "ruthless" after being cut? Not even top 10 in Cleveland Browns history.
That's just how ugly some NFL divorces have been over the years.
Step inside, if you dare, and see how nasty things can really get.
by Brian DiTullio - Analyst
Sometimes, relationships end. It happens.
And sometimes, there's nothing that can be done about it; the relationship has ru... more
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03/15/10
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1
Art Modell vs. the City of Cleveland
The darkest day in Cleveland Browns history didn't involve a player or a coach leaving under bad circumstances, or even a playoff loss—it was the day Art Modell took the money and ran to Baltimore. Modell was never known as a great businessman, usually throwing good money after bad and never getting a championship as a result. As a landlord, he was known as greedy and neglectful, which caused the Cleveland Indians to move to Jacobs Field in 1994 because Modell refused to share stadium profits with the team and refused to upgrade the facility. In 1973, Modell offered to lease Cleveland Stadium for $1 per year, an arrangement which the city accepted. In exchange, Modell's newly-formed company, Stadium Corporation, assumed the expenses of operations from the city, freeing up tax dollars for other expenses. Stadium Corp invested in improvements, including new electronic scoreboards and luxury suites. Renting the suites and the scoreboard advertising generated substantial revenue for Stadium Corp and Modell. However, Modell refused to share the suite revenue with the Indians, who also played at Municipal Stadium, even though much of the revenues were generated during baseball games as well as football games. The City of Cleveland offered Modell a piece of the Gateway Project, which built Jacobs Field and the Cavaliers new home, Gund Arena, in the early 1990s. However, Modell declined for various reasons and then declared a moratorium on the subject in public. Modell then entered into secret discussions with Baltimore to move the Browns there for the 1996 season. Baltimore, still eager for a football team, threw a $50 million offer to Modell. It was an offer he couldn't refuse. Despite making many promises over the years to never move the team, Modell took the money, blamed Cleveland for all his problems, and famously said, "I had no choice." The City of Cleveland sued Modell, the Browns, and several other entities related to Modell and the City of Baltimore for breaching the Browns' lease, which required the team to play its home games at Cleveland Stadium for several years beyond 1995. Many Baltimore fans sympathized with Clevelanders' outrage for obvious reasons, but the move went ahead as planned. However, the name, colors, and legacy of the Browns were left in Cleveland and only the players, coaches, and equipment were given to Baltimore in the divorce.
2
Bob Irsay vs. the City of Baltimore
The Baltimore Colts ownership had expressed a desire for a new stadium as far back as 1971, but it never came to fruition for a variety of reasons. Relations between Colts owner Bob Irsay and the city of Baltimore had deteriorated significantly by the beginning of 1983. Despite some late maneuvering by Baltimore politicians to get $15 million for renovation to Memorial Stadium, it didn't go through in time and not for as much as proposed. Irsay continued to look for another city for his team to play for as a result, entering into secret negotiations with Indianapolis, who already had begun construction on the Hoosier Dome, in February of 1983. The situation worsened in Baltimore when the Maryland legislature intervened and one of its chambers passed legislation giving the city of Baltimore the right to seize ownership of the team by eminent domain in late March. Irsay later said that his move was "a direct result" of the eminent domain bill. Colts counsel Michael Chernoff later said, "They not only threw down the gauntlet, but they put a gun to his head and cocked it and asked, 'Want to see if it's loaded?' They forced him to make a decision that day." The city of Indianapolis offered the Irsay's a $12.5 million loan, a $4 million training complex, and the use of the brand new $77.5 million, 57,980-seat Hoosier Dome. After Irsay agreed to the deal, the 15 Mayflower moving trucks were famously dispatched to the team's Owings Mills, Md., training complex at 2 a.m. on March 29 because it was feared the team would be seized by the City of Baltimore as soon as the sun rose. By 10 a.m., with the late March snow famously falling in the news footage as the trucks pulled away from the facility, the Colts were gone. Each of the Mayflower trucks took a slightly different route on the way to Indianapolis to confuse the Maryland police, who could've been called on to put a stop to the move. Once each van was at the Indiana state line, it was met by Indiana state troopers and escorted to Indianapolis. Baltimore's mayor appeared on the front page of the Baltimore Sun in tears the next day. The team's move triggered a flurry of legal activity, which ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court, but all lawsuits eventually were settled or dismissed. The Irsay family promised to endorse a new team for Baltimore the next time the league expanded as part of the settlement but refused to adhere to the deal. The Irsays endorsed Jacksonville and Carolina for expansion franchises in 1993. All of the Hall of Fame Baltimore Colts chose to cut all ties to the relocated Colts team as a result of the move.
3
Paul Brown vs. Art Modell
Art Modell purchased the Browns in 1961, and there were tensions immediately between Modell and head coach Paul Brown, who also was a minority owner of the team and its only head coach to that date. Conflicts arose over a trade in 1961 that resulted in the Browns securing the rights to running back Ernie Davis. Davis, of course, never played a down for Cleveland after being diagnosed with leukemia before the 1962 season. Following the 1962 season, Modell decided to fire Brown. Brown was fired during a newspaper strike, causing many to believe Modell waited until the local sports reporters were unavailable to deflect criticism and slow the story from spreading. Brown is widely considered one of the best head coaches in the history of the NFL and is credited for creating modern offensive schemes, so his dismissal was met with heavy skepticism and criticism at the time. Brown continued to receive his paycheck, plus the dividends from his ownership of the team, but confided to friends his frustration grew every year. Brown was not the type of guy to sit back and do nothing, so he began exploring a way to get back into the NFL and get a little measure of revenge against Modell. In 1968, Brown officially returned to football as principal owner, general manager, and coach of the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL's rival American Football League. He coached the team for eight seasons, leading the team to three playoff berths, including one in the team's third year of operation in 1970. The Browns-Bengals rivalry was instantly hot, and Modell's paranoid move to remove a team icon resulted in the creation of a division rival that reached the Super Bowl years before Modell did with the Baltimore Ravens.
4
Brett Favre vs. the Green Bay Packers
As the 2000s progressed, each offseason seemed to have a "will he or won't he?" retirement story about Brett Favre. The drama reached a peak after the 2007 season, when Favre formally announced his retirement, only to change his mind once training camp started in July. On July 11, Favre sent a letter to the Packers asking for his unconditional release to allow him to play for another NFL team, which GM Ted Thompson announced he denied. The team already had committed to Aaron Rodgers, but Favre's contract gave him the leverage to void any potential trade. Favre claimed he was "pressured" by the Packers to make a decision before the NFL Draft and the start of the free agent signing period. Favre said he understood the organization had decided to move on, so he should be allowed to do the same. Favre also accused the Packers of being dishonest. The Packers filed tampering charges against the Minnesota Vikings on July 16 with the league office, alleging improper communication between Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and Favre. After an investigation, Commissioner Roger Goodell ruled there had been no violation of tampering rules. Favre filed for reinstatement with the NFL on July 29. Favre then flew to Green Bay to report to Packers training camp a few days later. After a lengthy meeting with head coach Mike McCarthy and Thompson, however, both sides agreed it was time for Favre and the organization to part ways. Favre played his 2008 season with the Jets, only to be injured late in the season and retire again. During the 2009 training camp, as the Favre drama intensified once again, Favre was able to sign with the Vikings, having been released from his Jets contract, avoiding any penalties for the Jets the Packers put in place when the trade was made the prior year. Favre proceeded to dominate the Packers during both games of the 2009 season, and the drama may not yet be over.
5
Ryan Leaf vs. the San Diego Chargers
Ryan Leaf was taken second in the 1998 Draft by the Sand Diego Chargers, signing a four-year, $31.25 million contract. Leaf famously said at the time, "I'm looking forward to a 15-year career, a couple of trips to the Super Bowl, and a parade through downtown San Diego." His rookie season was nothing short of awful, and before the season even started, Leaf was fined for skipping a symposium that was mandatory for all newly drafted players. He was benched after throwing two touchdown passes and 13 interceptions in nine games, replaced by Craig Whelihan. After 10 games, Leaf had thrown two more interceptions, passing for a total of 1,289 yards, with a 45.3 percent completion rate and a passer rating of 39. Leaf also had become infamous for his clashes with teammates and the media, including a locker room incident in which he was caught on camera screaming at San Diego Union Tribune reporter Jay Posner and physically restrained by Junior Seau. Another on-camera incident involved Leaf confronting a heckling Chargers fan during a practice session. Two coaches had to restrain Leaf and escort him off the field. Leaf missed his entire second season because of a shoulder injury discovered during a preseason physical and was placed on injured reserve. That didn't stop him from getting into a shouting match with Chargers GM Bobby Beathard and another coach. The incident resulted in a fine, a suspension without pay, and a public apology. There also were allegations Leaf lied about a hand injury to get out of practice so he could play golf instead. While serving his four-game suspension, a video surfaced of Leaf playing flag football while he was supposed to be rehabilitating his injured shoulder and wrist. The Chargers filed a grievance against Leaf for breach of contract for $2.95 million of Leaf's $11.25 million signing bonus. Leaf started for the Chargers at the beginning of the 2000 season, but poor performance and more injuries resulted in another lost year, and he was released by the Chargers after the season, with four wins as a starter in three years.
6
Terrell Owens vs. the Philadelphia Eagles
Terrell Owens wasn't happy with making one overly dramatic exit in his career, so he began a second one in Philadelphia. In April of 2005, Owens announced the hiring of "Super Agent" Drew Rosenhaus, and subsequently began demanding a new contract with the Eagles. Owens was not in the top 10 paid wide receivers playing category, which he wanted changed. Owens then began his now-familiar anti-quarterback comments he always makes when he isn't happy. In this outing, he targeted Donovan McNabb, saying he (as opposed to McNabb) "wasn't the guy who got tired in the Super Bowl." In July of that year, Owens' relationship with the Eagles deteriorated even further after Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and club president Joe Banner denied Owens permission to play basketball in a summer league. Owens' rhetoric heated up as training camp approached. Owens threatened to hold out of training camp until a deal was reached but reported to camp on time. This situation also included the famous driveway workout in front of the media. When the 2005 football season began, Owens was in the second year of a seven-year, $49 million contract that was heavily backloaded. Owens continued to make waves as the season progressed. After more derogatory remarks about Eagles management and McNabb, Owens was "Keyshawned." This led to the infamous Rosenhaus "next question" press conference when a reporter asked Rosenhaus what he had done for Owens besides get him kicked off the team. The next season, Owens was released by the Eagles and signed with the Dallas Cowboys.
7
Terrell Owens vs. the San Francisco 49ers
Terrell Owens makes his first appearance on this list at No. 8 because this guy doesn't leave anybody without burning bridges, blowing up the foundations and salting the earth on his way out. After the 2003 season, unhappy with the 49ers' direction, Owens did an interview with Playboy wherein he insinuated starting quarterback Jeff Garcia was a homosexual. Over the next few weeks, the 49ers asserted that Owens' previous agent, David Joseph, had missed the deadline to void the final years of his contract with the team. The NFLPA and Owens disputed this assertion. San Francisco, believing it still held Owens' rights, attempted to trade Owens to the Baltimore Ravens for a second-round pick in the 2004 draft. Owens challenged this and negotiated with other teams in advance of his expected free agency, reaching an agreement with the Philadelphia Eagles. The NFLPA filed a grievance on his behalf and the NFL and the three teams involved in the controversy reached a settlement. The Ravens got their second-round pick back from San Francisco, and the 49ers in turn received a conditional fifth-round pick and defensive end Brandon Whiting from the Eagles in exchange for the rights to Owens. No word on who got the kids.
8
Keyshawn Johnson vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Keyshawn Johnson was traded from the New York Jets to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for two first-round draft choices prior to the 2000 NFL season. Tampa Bay then signed Johnson to an eight-year, $56 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL at the time. In 2002, Johnson and the Buccaneers went on to win the Super Bowl with head coach Jon Gruden at the helm. Johnson's relationship with Gruden went sour fast for a variety of reasons, and after a series of incidents, Gruden deactivated Johnson for the final seven games of the 2003 season. It led to his eventual trade to the Dallas Cowboys the following offseason and the coining of the term "Keyshawned" for any player shut down due to behavioral issues.
9
Lane Kiffin vs. the Oakland Raiders
Raiders Owner Al Davis reportedly drafted a letter of resignation for Lane Kiffin to sign after his first season with a record of 4–12 in January of 2008. Kiffin refused to sign the letter of resignation, which would cause him to forfeit the remainder of his $2 million salary. On Sept. 15, 2008, reports surfaced that Davis was unhappy with Kiffin and could fire him in the next few days. After two weeks of "will he or won't he?" stories, Kiffin was fired over the telephone on Sept. 30. At the press conference announcing the firing, Davis called Kiffin "a flat-out liar" and said he was guilty of "bringing disgrace to the organization." Davis said the move was made "for cause," meaning he would not pay Kiffin the remainder of his contract. A few weeks later, Kiffin filed a grievance against the Raiders, claiming that he was fired without cause. The Raiders responded to Kiffin's accusations by claiming Kiffin was guilty of rule violations and false accusations made after his hiring as the Tennessee Volunteers head coach. They said these actions were indicative of a pattern of behavior that occurred while employed as head coach of the Oakland Raiders.
10
Jeff George vs. the Indianapolis Colts
The Colts traded to draft Jeff George No. 1 overall in the 1990 draft and then rewarded him with the richest rookie contract in NFL history. George was a "hometown boy" in Indianapolis, but things never clicked with the Colts and his time there was marred by a holdout, vile gestures to the hometown fans, arguments with head coach Ted Marchibroda, and unfulfilled expectations. George tried to engineer a trade at one point, but, after four years, the Colts had had enough and he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons.
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