Some athletes are built for the big stage—they thrive when the lights are brightest and the pressure is sky high. And then there are the ones who… well, let’s just say the spotlight wasn’t too kind to them.
These are the players who had talent, promise, and hype—but when it came time to deliver under pressure, things fell apart. From major meltdowns to moments they’d definitely like to forget, here are 15 athletes who crumbled under the spotlight.
15. Rick Ankiel
Ankiel was a flame-throwing pitcher with ace potential until one playoff meltdown sent his career spiraling. He bounced back as an outfielder, but that postseason collapse became infamous.
14. Jana Novotná
Novotná had Wimbledon in her grasp in 1993, leading Steffi Graf in the final before nerves completely took over. She broke down during the trophy ceremony, and the match remains one of the most emotional collapses in tennis history.
13. Jean Van de Velde
All he needed was a double bogey to win the 1999 Open Championship. Instead, Van de Velde’s historic collapse on the 18th hole became golf’s cautionary tale about pressure.
12. Nick Anderson
Anderson was a solid NBA player until Game 1 of the 1995 Finals, when he missed four free throws in a row that could’ve sealed a win. After that, his confidence never fully returned.
11. Mark Sanchez
Sanchez led the Jets to two AFC title games, but under the weight of expectations, things fell apart fast. The “Butt Fumble” became his unfortunate legacy and a symbol of his fall from grace.
10. Michelle Wie
Wie was hyped as a generational talent and burst onto the scene as a teen phenom. But the pressure, injuries, and high expectations derailed a career that never quite hit the heights it promised.
9. Matt Leinart
Leinart won a Heisman and a national title, but when it came time to be an NFL franchise quarterback, he couldn’t handle the jump. The bright lights faded quickly, and so did his career.
8. Roberto Duran (No Más)
Duran was a boxing legend—until he quit mid-fight against Sugar Ray Leonard, famously saying “No más.” It was the ultimate moment of cracking under pressure, and it haunted him for years.
7. Tim Tebow
Tebow had moments of magic, but when asked to be a full-time starting quarterback, the flaws showed fast. The spotlight was big, but the skill set wasn’t built to last.
6. John Starks
Starks had a nightmare Game 7 in the 1994 NBA Finals, shooting 2-for-18 when the Knicks desperately needed him. The lights were too bright that night, and it cost New York a title shot.
5. Ronda Rousey
Rousey was invincible—until she wasn’t. Once the pressure and media hype hit maximum levels, back-to-back losses and media silence followed.
4. Paul George (in the bubble)
Playoff P became Pandemic P in the 2020 bubble, where George struggled mightily and looked rattled in crucial games. The spotlight was harsh, and the memes were even harsher.
3. Greg Norman
Norman had several brutal major collapses, but the 1996 Masters stands out most. He entered the final round with a six-shot lead and lost by five—an all-time crumble.
Read More: 15 NFL Quarterbacks Who Were Born for the Spotlight
2. Tony Romo
Romo was talented and fun to watch, but in the biggest moments—bad snaps, late picks, playoff miscues—he just couldn’t deliver. Cowboys fans still lose sleep over some of those finishes.
Read More: 15 NFL Quarterbacks Who Couldn’t Handle the Pressure
1. JaMarcus Russell
Russell had all the tools and all the hype, but none of the poise or preparation. Under the weight of being a No. 1 pick and franchise QB, he folded fast and never bounced back.
Read More: 15 NFL Players Who Couldn’t Handle the Pressure
