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Scandal no stranger to pro sports


PERRY LEFKO
FOR METRO CANADA
December 04, 2009 2:40 a.m.
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Tiger Woods is not the first high-profile athlete whose image and, potentially career, has taken a beating because of scandal, sexual or otherwise.

There are many superstars whose fame turned to infamy because of an incident.

Here’s a look at some other examples of athletes, active and retired, who fit into the category of good guys gone bad or, in the care of one, Mike Tyson, bad to worse:

KOBE BRYANT: He had good looks, great game and star status playing in the basketball mecca of Los Angeles.

It took a sexual scandal to rock Bryant’s world. In the summer of 2003, the Lakers star found himself accused of rape by a hotel employee in Colorado.

A year after the announcement of the original charges, the prosecutors dropped the case. Bryant settled a civil suit out of court.

Ultimately, Bryant admitted to a tryst in a public pronouncement, accompanied by his wife.

MIKE TYSON: He was a street thug who packed a powerful punch. He turned pro in 1985 and became the first to claim the heavyweight titles from the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation at the same time.

Tyson’s rise to greatness plunged when he lost his title to mega-underdog James (Buster) Douglas in 1990. That became overshadowed by a charge of sexual assault levied against him in July of 1991 by the reigning Miss Black Rhode Island, who accused him of rape.

Tyson was convicted, given a 10-year sentence and released after three years.

PETE ROSE: Known as Charlie Hustle during his career as one of the best baseball players of the ’70s, Rose was accused in 1989 of betting on baseball while managing the Cincinnati Reds.

Rose denied the charges, but was ultimately banished from the game.

He eventually confessed to betting on games but never against the Reds.

ZINEDINE ZIDANE: It took one dramatic incident for Zidane, one of only two three-time Players of the Year of the Federal Internationale de Football Association, to have his image altered, though not ruined.

Playing for his native France in the final of the 2006 World Cup Final against Italy, Zidane head-butted Marco Materazzi in extra time because of verbal taunting and insults. Italy won in a shootout.

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