Last year, quarterback Mike Vick topped a Forbes poll of the most hated persons in sports.
This year, he can crack the champagne again.
Vick has landed at No. 1 for a second straight year, even though he largely has become irrelevant as a backup quarterback and part-time gimmick option for the Eagles.
The rest of the 2010 top five consists of Raiders owner Al Davis, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, golfer Tiger Woods, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Last year, Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez landed at No. 2, followed by Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, Bills receiver Terrell Owens, and Lakers star Kobe Bryant.
In 2009, no one connected to the NFL other than Vick landed in the top ten. This year, the NFL holds four out of the top five spots. We’re not sure whether it’s evidence of a sign of growing fan discontent against pro football -- or whether it’s further proof that no sports league inflames passion like the NFL.
We’ll pick the latter. But it would be wise for the league and the NFLPA to at least consider the possibility that it’s the former.