Worst Athletes of 2012

The worst athletes of 2012 are those special professional sports players who failed to live up to their expectations during the year or just did really stupid things along the way. These stars of the NFL, NBA, MLB and other sports each could have been the talk of the town had they not let everyone down with their lack of production and poor choices.

For many of these athletes, earning their place on this list of the worst 2012 athletes came simply because they sucked more than normal when playing their corresponding sport. Michael Vick was expected to lead the Philadelphia Eagles to greatness in 2012 but instead he helped the team start the year with a 3-6 record before suffering an injury. Mark Sanchez, quarterback of the New York Jets, was only slightly better, throwing more interceptions than he did touchdowns and committing that embarrassing butt-fumble heard round the world. Even Rafalca, the dressage horse owned by Ann Romney, wife of the silver medal presidential election winner Mitt Romney, was not safe from inclusion here as it finished in a disappointing 28th place at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Other star athletes made it on the worst athletes of 2012 list for scandals and controversial choices. Renowned cyclist Lance Armstrong was perhaps the leader in the 2012 scandals category after he came under fire, was stripped of titles and almost uniformly shunned by the world following his doping allegations.

Like the biggest sports let-downs of 2012, the athletes on this list each won in the area of disappointment but little else. Did your favorite athlete let you down this year? Ashamed of what they did on the field or off? Vote up those who broke your heart the most, add any not already listed or even re-rank this list of the 2012 worst athletes your way, all below.