As the entire sports world rejoices over the permanent expulsion of racist Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the NBA, it opens up another conversation of the occasional black eyes that can plague the major leagues.
Professional athletes are expected to maintain the highest standard of moral behavior during and away from play. Obviously that doesn’t always happen; they’re human just like the rest of us and their competitive drive (and enormous bank accounts) result in a more passionate way of living.
Sterling wasn’t the first sports owner to be banned for racial comments as Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott was banned in the mid-90s for supporting a few of German dictator Adolph Hitler’s policies. Schott was later reinstated but NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made it pretty clear that the chances of Sterling getting welcomed back in the fold were next to none.
Yet, on the court, field, diamond and even rink, there have been a few players who pushed their luck until their respective organizations had enough.
In light of the Sterling removal from the NBA, we shamefully present eleven professional athletes who were permanently banned and never got back in the door.
