Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh has seen his public reputation turn faster than he can cast aside opposing blockers, according to a poll published in Forbes magazine.
Suh, who four months ago led a Forbes poll of the most-liked players in the NFL with an appeal score of 71 percent, placed fourth on an overall list of most-disliked athletes with a score of 51 percent disliked, according to the magazine.
The poll, conducted by Nielsen and E-Poll Market Research, found Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick and Tiger Woods at the top of the list with scores of 60 percent disliked, suggesting time and public contrition haven’t helped either athlete fully overcome past indiscretions when it comes to public perception.
Vick led the list despite being tied with Woods because Woods had fewer “dislike a lot” responses in the poll, Forbes reported.
Suh’s stomping on Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith during the Lions’ nationally televised Thanksgiving Day game this past season didn’t help Suh’s cause. He was ejected and suspended two games by the NFL.
Despite earlier fines for his rough play, Suh had been popular for his on-field performance, which helped elevate the Lions from sad sack to playoff contender, and for his generosity in donating $2.6 million to Nebraska, his alma mater.
“He went from being so popular to being a pariah in one season,” Nielsen vice president of sports Stephen Master said, according to Forbes.
Although years have passed since Vick served a federal prison sentence for his role in a dogfighting ring, he still has a high awareness number — 42 percent, according to the report.
“His awareness is up there with Peyton Manning, but a lot of it is people knowing him for the wrong reasons,” Master said, according to the report.
Third on the most-disliked list is New York Jets wide receiver Plaxico Burress, who returned to the NFL this season after serving 20 months in prison for gun possession, according to the Forbes report.
Kris Humphries of the New Jersey Nets came in fifth at 50 percent, Forbes reported, with his 72-day marriage to reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
Rounding out the top 10 are NBA stars LeBron James and Kobe Bryant; wide receiver Terrell Owens; New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez; and NASCAR driver Kurt Busch, the magazine reported.
–ESPN
