There’s a fine line between being misunderstood and just refusing to take the blame. Some NFL stars have a knack for spinning every bad moment into a personal injustice, acting like they’re the only ones being wronged in a league full of chaos.
From finger-pointing in the postgame pressers to cryptic social media rants, these players always seemed to have someone else to blame. Whether it was the coaches, the media, or even the fans, these guys were never short on reasons why it wasn’t their fault.
15. Carson Wentz
When things unraveled in Philly and then again in Indy, Wentz always had a way of sounding surprised. You’d think he was just an innocent bystander to his own downfall.
14. Antonio Brown
For every helmet complaint or sideline meltdown, there was a long-winded explanation about how he was actually the victim. Somehow, it was always everyone else who was in the wrong.
13. Cam Newton
Cam was electric on the field but dramatic off of it, especially when things didn’t go his way. The postgame pout after the Super Bowl loss became the poster moment for blaming the world.
12. Jay Cutler
Cutler always looked like the guy who just got blamed for something he didn’t do, and he’d happily tell you that. Whether it was teammates, coaches, or media, Jay was never short on excuses.
11. Jalen Ramsey
If a game went south, Ramsey had a theory, and it usually didn’t involve him. He’s a top-tier talent with a top-tier victim complex when the spotlight gets too hot.
10. Michael Thomas
Once known as “Can’t Guard Mike,” he turned into “Can’t Criticize Mike” real quick. Every injury, every setback, every issue was met with a defensive tweetstorm.
9. Odell Beckham Jr.
When the production dipped, the fingers started pointing, just not at himself. OBJ always seemed to think he was being underused, misunderstood, or unfairly criticized.
8. Vince Young
Things didn’t pan out the way many hoped, and Young seemed genuinely shocked. His narrative always leaned toward betrayal rather than accountability.
7. Dez Bryant
Dez played with fire, but when things blew up, he often cried foul. From sideline rants to exit interviews, he rarely saw himself as part of the problem.
6. Terrell Owens
T.O. was one of the greatest, but he sure didn’t shy away from the “Why is everyone picking on me?” routine. He kept receipts and made sure the world knew he was the aggrieved one.
5. Le’Veon Bell
From holding out in Pittsburgh to disappearing in New York, Bell always had a reason why it wasn’t his fault. His career fizzled, but the blame list never did.
4. Eli Apple
Whenever he got torched on the field, he somehow still managed to take the role of the victim. He was never the problem, just misunderstood by fans and targeted by critics.
3. Johnny Manziel
Things fell apart quickly for Johnny Football, and in his version, he was just a misunderstood rebel. Personal responsibility never made it into his game plan.
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2. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers has a Hall of Fame resume and a Hall of Fame grudge list. When things don’t go right, he’s quick to throw shade at everyone but himself.
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1. Baker Mayfield
Baker practically made a brand out of playing the underdog victim. Every slight, every benching, every critique, he treated them all like personal betrayals.
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