Carolinian Top Ten

We all have them. We all barely acknowledge their existence. When we see their highlights on Sportscenter, a cold rush runs down our spine, blood flows to our head, and smoke comes out of our ears. There are those that are arrogant, ignorant, egotistic, and pompous beyond belief, and then there are those that, simply, just always play well against your favorite team.

As a Pittsburgh resident for over 20 years, I have a strong dislike for Philadelphia, Cleveland, Alex Ovechkin, and any NFL wide receiver not named Hines Ward. I bleed black and gold more than anyone on this campus.

I have compiled a list of my ten least favorite athletes. It is a list that could easily be nine NFL wide receivers plus Barry Bonds, but after much deliberation and thought, I have determined that the following ten athletes send me into a fury of rage where only my mom's cookies can calm me down.

10. Chad Johnson - Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver.

9. Chad Ochocinco - Current Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver.

8. JJ Redick - Krzyzewski's crybaby.

7. Manny Ramirez - Manny being Manny = Manny being an arrogant sleazeball.

6. Terrell Owens - I went to Colorado this summer. I saw TO's ego migrate to Buffalo from the top of Rocky Mountain National Park.

5. Ray Lewis - Steelers division rival. Talks too much.

4. Alain Bernard - Told a French media outlet that his French relay team would "smash" the Americans in the 4X100 relay in the Bejing Olympics. They did not, and Michael Phelps dream for eight gold metals lived on. France fail.

3. Barry Bonds - Refuses to admit he abused steroids.

2. Alex Ovechkin - Flamboyant. Cheap. Irritating.

1. Marian Hossa - This one is a stretch. Actually, I love Marian Hossa. He left the Penguins to win a Stanley Cup with Detroit. He failed, again. Every time I am having a bad day I put on my Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup Champions T-Shirt, think of Hossa, and smile.

All of us could put together a list that could go on for pages. The NFL alone could amount to a total of 15 or more wide receivers and quarterbacks: Brett Farve, Tony Romo, Tom Brady and Randy Moss. The list is almost as erratic as the stock market, and will certainly change tomorrow, if not today.