The NFL has always been fueled by intensity, but sometimes that intensity spills over into full-on pettiness. Whether passive-aggressive comments, over-the-top celebrations, or flat-out refusing to let things go, these players turned competitive spirit into personal grudges.
These rivalries had everything except chill, from handshake snubs to social media jabs. Here are 15 of the pettiest player feuds in league history — because sometimes the drama off the field is just as entertaining as the plays on it.
15. Jalen Ramsey vs. Golden Tate
This wasn’t just football — it was personal, with family drama bleeding onto the field. They fought after a game, and neither seemed interested in moving on anytime soon.
14. Terrell Owens vs. Donovan McNabb
Once teammates, they went from sharing touchdowns to trading jabs in interviews. Owens mocked McNabb’s conditioning, and McNabb wasn’t shy about firing back.
13. Baker Mayfield vs. Hue Jackson
Mayfield couldn’t stand his former coach joining a rival midseason and ensured everyone knew it. The stare-downs and cold shoulders were pure reality TV.
12. Richard Sherman vs. Michael Crabtree
“All I’m saying is don’t you ever talk about me!” lives rent-free in everyone’s head. This one burst into flames after the NFC Championship and never cooled down.
11. Josh Norman vs. Odell Beckham Jr.
They turned one afternoon of trash talk and cheap shots into a full-blown saga, and every meeting after that felt like a soap opera waiting to happen.
10. JuJu Smith-Schuster vs. Vontaze Burfict
JuJu laid Burfict out with a block and then stood over him like it was a WWE moment. Petty? Absolutely. Memorable? Definitely.
9. Jay Cutler vs. Philip Rivers
These two never seemed to like each other, and the sideline taunts were legendary. Cutler’s eye rolls met their match with Rivers’ trash talk.
8. Randy Moss vs. Darrelle Revis
Revis once called Moss a quitter, and Moss never forgot it. The pettiness stayed alive long after both were out of the league.
7. Eric Reid vs. Malcolm Jenkins
This one was about more than just football, with significant disagreements on social justice protests. Reid made it clear he didn’t respect Jenkins and never gave up.
6. Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning
It wasn’t outwardly hostile, but the passive-aggressive energy was intense. Every stat, every playoff seeding — they kept score like their legacy depended on it.
5. Antonio Brown vs. Ben Roethlisberger
These two once looked like the best duo in football, until the snide comments and subtweets started flying. Brown torched every bridge on his way out.
4. Cam Newton vs. Josh Norman
Their teammates couldn’t tell who wanted the front seat. The event couldn’t stop bickering at practice; it boiled over in ways no one forgot.
3. Eli Manning vs. Tiki Barber
Tiki retired and immediately started criticizing Eli from the safety of the broadcast booth. Eli clapped back with rings, which might be the pettiest (and best) revenge of all.
2. Aaron Rodgers vs. Greg Jennings
Jennings felt underappreciated, and Rodgers acted like he barely knew the guy. Years later, they’re still throwing shade in interviews.
Read More: 10 Sports Rivalries That Went on for Decades
1. Antonio Brown vs. the Entire Steelers Organization
It started with sideline tantrums and ended with a full-blown social media scorched-earth campaign. AB’s breakup with Pittsburgh was so petty that it became legendary.
Read More: Ranking The 20 Greatest Rivalries in Pro Sports History
