Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, nicknamed “Shady,” by his adoring fans, has come under fire this week. Let us take a look at McCoy’s latest act that got him trending on the internet, and explore some other sports scandals that have made the news.
CBS Sports reports that on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014, McCoy and friends dined at local Philly restaurant PYT. After tallying up a $61.56 tab, McCoy reportedly left a .20 cent tip for the waiter who took care of his table. The waitress admitted to forgetting their appetizer, and claims the group of friends was not satisfied with anything they ordered. The infuriated waitress proceeded to take a picture of the receipt and post in on social media networks, which almost immediately went viral. McCoy’s only comment in reference to the ordeal was “It’s bull**** man.” Other restaurants in the area have come to McCoy’s defense claiming that he always tips well when dining at their establishments, and has never appeared rude or mean as the PYT restaurant claims. Typically stories like this tend to fade away as soon as they appear; this one however is still trending in the news.
While many people were angry or surprised by McCoy’s actions, this is of course not the worst sports scandal by any means. Here are a few other sports scandals that have made headlines.
NFL: Can a year ever go by without hearing about another professional football player doing something either incredibly heinous or ridiculous? Quarterback for the New York Jets, Michael Vick, who was playing for the Atlanta Falcons at the time, went to jail for operating a dog fighting chain. Though many believe he should have received a more severe punishment. Many of the dogs rescued from his premises are still recovering years later from the horrible abuse they endured.
Let us not forget Cincinnati Bengal’s player Pac Man Jones and his 2007 debacle at the Minxx Strip Club in Las Vegas. Jones, along with rap artist Nelly, reportedly decided to throw money all over the stage of the club, an effect known as “making it rain.” The club promoter ordered his dancers to collect the money. Jones apparently became enraged at one of the exotic strippers who he claimed did not have his permission to pick up the money…that had been thrown all over the stage. He then grabbed the woman by the hair and slammed her head into the stage. After being escorted out the club, he ordered his entourage to go back to the scene and open fire on the club. Three people were shot, one of whom was tragically paralyzed from the waist down. It also cost the club thousands of dollars in damages.
Mike Tyson: There are far many scandals to list when it comes to Tyson; he has really toned up the crazy during his career. He has threatened to eat the children of Lennox Luis, he bit off a man’s ear in a wrestling match, and in 1992 he was convicted of raping a Rhode Island woman at a hotel in Indianapolis. Although he was sentenced to six years in prison, he was out and back in the ring after three.
Tennis Goes Violent: Over the years tennis star Serena William has been in the news not only for the number of wins she has under her belt, but for her sometime vicious attitude. In one such case, Williams, in a match against Kim Clijisters, was called for a foot fault while she was trailing five to six in the second set of the match. She became so enraged that she approached the line judge and threatened to stuff the tennis ball she was holding down her throat. In addition, she was reportedly shaking her racket at the poor judge like a crazy person, and screaming profanities at her. The outburst cost the tennis star $10,000.
There are other sports scandals, of course, and there will be many more. LeSean McCoy will definitely not be the last. Recently the NFL has made stricter punishments for domestic abuse, which has been a huge problem in the National Football League. Perhaps more severe punishments in professional sports in general will crack down on the number of scandals we see from athletes each year.
By: Lauren DiDonato