Top Ten NFL Villains of the Last 40 Years

Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images

I must begin a piece like this with an emphasis and sense of appreciation for the stark contrast between real life and sport. Especially a sport as naturally violent as American football. Perhaps George Kittle said it best when he was quoted as saying, “Football is a violent sport, and if you don’t kind of go to that dark place to be violent and be physical, you’re not going to last very long.”

Players often talk about the “switch” that must get turned on when stepping onto the field of battle. While

that does not excuse any player to commit a flagrant/personal foul on purpose, it’s important to remember we are dealing with human beings amidst mentally, emotionally and physically heightened circumstances.

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

Few players play the game with more intensity than George Kittle, yet he is not known to ever “cross the line.”

That said, there have been certain players who seem to push the envelope between intensity and assault. Those that extend the “violence” that players must tap into a bit beyond the whistle. Therefore, it can be easy for a fan of one team to get upset, even vitriolic, toward a player from another team when they do something egregious on the field of play to one of their own. After all, fan stands for fanatic, which is akin to words like militant, extremist, and radical. Heck, there are far too many stories of fans being ruthless towards professional athletes across the globe, even without a penalty involved. Case in point, I have not heard or seen a single dirty play by former Bear David Montgomery, yet some “football fans” had him contemplating suicide after the nastiness he received thanks to fantasy football angst.

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery reveals online abuse from fantasy football managers had him contemplating suicide.

“I was at a point where I was scared to live,” Montgomery said.

Montgomery says a call from his nephew, who has leukemia, helped save him ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YVoMaLhW4L

— BlitzBuzz (@BlitzBuzzX) October 10, 2024

Moral of the story. Don’t be that guy.

Now that I am comfortably off my soap-box, there have been plenty of players, past and present, who have gone a bit too far on gameday. Some even in their own locker room or practice field. Players whose reputations precede them and opponents are consciously aware of before and after the whistle. Certainly, there are more examples than I can possibly remember, but in honor of one such player officially retiring from the NFL who turns 40 soon, here are my top 10 villains of the last 40 years:

Top Ten Villains:

10 - Aqib Talib, CB: Talib has been subject to thousands in fines and multiple games suspended for his aggressive and combative play both between and after the whistle.

Photo by Andrew Matthews - PA Images via Getty Images

Talib earlier in his career against former Bear Roy Williams with what appears to be an eye-poke attempt.

9 - Brandon Browner, DB: The forgotten member of the “Legion of Boom” did his part to resemble “The Legion of Doom” throughout his entire career. Pretty sure he still holds the record for most penalized player of all time.

Congrats to #39 Brandon Browner for most penalties (22) since 1990! Keep reaching for those stars. pic.twitter.com/RNTkvrdy6m

— The Prytania Bar (@ThePrytaniaBar) December 13, 2015

8 - Kevin Greene, LB: A key piece to one of the most underrated LB units of all time, Greene lined up alongside Greg Lloyd and Levon Kirkland and somehow was the meanest of the group. Green accrued thousands of fines and suspensions in his day for malicious acts against opponents, teammates and coaches!

“The Hulkster” of the NFL beating up on former Packer Edgar Bennett.

7 - Charles Martin, DL: Likely the most infamous name on this list among this group of readers, Martin was handed the stiffest discipline the league had ever seen after his egregious act on former Bear Jim McMahon.

Edward Wagner/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Green Bay Packer Charles Martin (94) checks on Bears quarterback Jim McMahon after slamming him to the ground Sunday, Nov. 23, 1986 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

6 - Myles Garrett, DE: A sack artist with the best of them, Garrett is no stranger to conflict, most notably inexplicably ripping off the helmet of Mason Rudolph and trying to hit him in the head with it. Garrett has no shortage of enemies league-wide.

Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Yes that is the QB’s helmet in his hand mid swing.

5 - CJ Gardner-Johnson, S: Perhaps a case of recency bias here, CJGJ cannot seem to stick with a single team despite being immensely talented and still young. Most remember his “moment” with former Bear Javon Wims. #facepalm

Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson #22 of the New Orleans Saints kicks the Atlanta Falcons logo after the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.

4 - Azeez Al-Shaair, LB: Another likely form of recency bias here, Al-Shaair has catapulted on and towards the top of this list within the last couple of seasons. From punching RoJo on the sideline to late, blatant late hits on star players, Al-Shaair may end up at #1 on this list soon.

Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images

Azeez Al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans points to the Jacksonville Jaguars bench after a fight and being ejected during the second quarter of a game at EverBank Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida.

3 - Bill Romanowski, LB: Fined well over $100,000 for multiple offenses both in games and practices, Bill may be most well-known for spitting in the face of an opponent in 1997.

Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Bill Romanowski #53 of the Oakland Raiders stops Fred McCrary #44 of the San Diego Chargers during the game on October 20, 2002 at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Chargers won 27-21 in overtime.

2 - Vontaze Burfict, LB: Burfict carried his reputation into the league from college and it only got worse. With over $4.2 million in fines and multiple late hits that lead to injuries, Burfict has a claim for worst villain of all time.

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Fewer LB’s drew the ire of opponents like Vontaze did.

1 - Ndamukong Suh, DT: Suh made a name for himself by hitting players before and after the whistle with added aggression. He lands at #1 in honor of his retirement and the fact that he did most of his damage as a Detroit Lion against our Chicago Bears. But it wasn't just Bears fans that disliked him either.

Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) is injured on a hit by Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) in the second quarter Monday, October 22, 2012, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.

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Honorable mentions: Deshaun Watson, Jalen Ramsey, Marshawn Lattimore, Richard Sherman, Mac Jones, Rodney Harrison, Antonio Brown, Ray Rice, Rasul Douglas, Richie Incognito, Kareem Hunt, Ray Lewis, Pac-Man Jones, Jalen Carter

Who did I miss, and how would your rankings look? Sound off below in the comments with a memorable story of your top villain!

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