Some players play with fire. Others let that fire burn everything down around them. The NFL has seen more than its fair share of hot-headed athletes who couldn’t quite keep their cool when the stakes got high—or even when they didn’t.
From boneheaded penalties to locker room meltdowns to full-blown legal issues, these players let their tempers turn promising careers into cautionary tales. Talent can take you far in football, but if your emotions are always calling the shots, chances are your legacy won’t be remembered kindly.
19. Cortland Finnegan
He had a knack for getting under people’s skin, and sometimes his own. Finnegan’s feisty antics often led to penalties, fights, and a reputation that aged poorly.
18. Odell Beckham Jr.
Incredible talent, yes—but sometimes the man couldn’t keep it together. From fighting kicking nets to throwing sideline tantrums, OBJ let emotions derail momentum too many times.
17. Vontaze Burfict
When you think of reckless aggression, you think of Burfict. The penalties and suspensions piled up, leaving teams wondering if he was worth the headache.
16. Richie Incognito
Never one to keep things chill, Incognito’s career was a rollercoaster of rage. Between bullying scandals and on-field outbursts, his temper often overshadowed his solid play.
15. Albert Haynesworth
Stomping on someone’s head with cleats isn’t exactly a zen move. Haynesworth’s notorious temper, especially on the field, made him a liability despite his talent.
14. Aqib Talib
A magnet for on-field scuffles and off-field drama, Talib rarely backed down. The man once yanked another player’s chain—twice—and that just scratches the surface.
13. Ndamukong Suh
Suh’s angry streak led to multiple fines and suspensions. For someone with All-Pro ability, he spent way too much time explaining his behavior rather than his play.
12. Marcus Peters
Peters had the skills to dominate, but a fuse that was always half-lit. Whether tossing flags into the stands or going at it with coaches, his emotions often got the best of him.
11. Pacman Jones
Pacman had countless chances and countless explosions. Between legal issues and in-game eruptions, he never quite figured out how to keep his cool.
10. Randy Moss
His temper wasn’t always loud, but it was volatile. From walking off the field to lashing out at coaches, Moss let his frustrations do the talking too often.
9. Terrell Owens
T.O. loved the spotlight—and hated sharing it. His confrontations with teammates and coaches turned him into a distraction, no matter how great the stats looked.
8. Steve Smith Sr.
Steve Smith never backed down, even when it hurt his own team. He was scrappy to a fault, once punching a teammate and ending his season in practice.
7. Michael Crabtree
Crabtree’s pride got him tangled in too many feuds. His infamous chain-snatching incident and frequent scuffles showed how easily his ego could explode.
6. Kellen Winslow Jr.
He brought more heat than necessary, on and off the field. His attitude burned bridges with coaches, teammates, and eventually the league itself.
5. LeGarrette Blount
Blount made headlines in college for punching a guy and never really calmed down after that. His NFL career had flashes of brilliance, but the temper never left.
4. Rodney Harrison
Dirty hits and loud trash talk were Harrison’s calling card. He played angry, and while it helped sometimes, it also got him suspended more than once.
Read More: The 10 Dirtiest NFL Players to Ever Play
3. Bryan Cox
Cox’s short fuse was legendary. Whether flipping off fans or sparring with opponents, his temper always found a way to make headlines.
Read More: 15 Defensive Players Who Treated Every Flag Like a Federal Offense
2. Bill Romanowski
Romo’s rage was something else entirely. Fights, cheap shots, and even breaking a teammate’s eye socket in practice—he truly let his anger take over.
Read More: 20 Athletes Who Played with Passion and a Temper
1. Antonio Brown
Brown went from being the best receiver in the league to a walking controversy. His short fuse torched bridges with multiple teams and turned a Hall of Fame career into chaos.
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