Would you love him if he was on your team? A Forbes poll found that Detroit Lions defender Ndamukong Suh was the NFL's least-liked player. Find out who else made the list.
1 / 10
10. Brady Quinn
Kansas City Chiefs
Salary: $1.5 million
Appeal: 31%
Forbes: "Like Sanchez on a different scale - not an unlikable guy, just a big name from a big school (Notre Dame) who has under-delivered."
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
2 / 10
9. Mark Sanchez
New York Jets
Salary: $7.9 million
Appeal: 31%
Forbes: "A bit puzzling in that there's nothing particularly unlikable about Sanchez. But when you're a high pick from a top school (USC, where he followed Leinart), fans eventually expect big results. And with Tim Tebow now on the Jets' depth chart, the scrutiny intensifies."
(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
3 / 10
8. Santonio Holmes
New York Jets
Salary: $9.2 million
Appeal: 28%
Forbes: "Unloaded by Pittsburgh because of attitude, which he's flashed in New York as well. Yet the Jets gave him $45 million for five years."
(AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
4 / 10
7. Kyle Orton
Dallas Cowboys
Salary: $2.6 million
Appeal: 27%
Forbes: "What did we just say about Dallas quarterbacks? Even Romo's backup makes the list, though Orton's up and down tenures in Chicago and Denver play a roll."
(AP Photo/Greg Trott)
5 / 10
6. Tony Romo
Dallas Cowboys
Salary: $8 million
Appeal: 27%
Forbes: "The Cowboys are America's polarizing team, there to be loved or hated. When you're the quarterback, that applies to you the most."
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
6 / 10
5. Matt Leinart
Oakland Raiders
Salary: $700,000
Appeal: 26%
Forbes: "First round pick out of USC in 2006 is now with his third team. The lesson for a supposed golden boy who amasses just 18 NFL starts in six-plus years: USC only seems like LA 's pro team. Don't act like a rock star until you are one."
(AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
7 / 10
4. Randy Moss
San Francisco 49ers
Salary: $2.5 million
Appeal: 24%
Forbes: "With Terrell Owens no longer around, Moss takes over as the NFL's premier wide receiver diva."
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
8 / 10
3. Michael Vick
Philadelphia Eagles
Salary: $13.9 million
Appeal: 23%
Forbes: "Vick is making steady progress – he used to easily top this list in the wake of his legal woes from a few years ago. But now he's dealing with a big new contract and an uneven performance in 2012."
(AP Photo/Brian Garfinkel)
9 / 10
2. Jay Cutler
Chicago Bears
Salary: $9.6 million
Appeal: 21%
Forbes: "Inconsistent, and whiny with his teammates and coaches."
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
10 / 10
1. Ndamukong Suh
Detroit Lions
Salary: $6.6 million
Appeal 19%
Forbes: "In a low payout year of his five-year, $60 million deal that runs through 2014. Popular when he came into the league two years ago, Suh has developed a reputation for dirty play on the defensive line."
(Ric Tapia/NFL)
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As an avid sports enthusiast and an expert in NFL dynamics, let me delve into the intricacies of the Forbes poll that labeled Detroit Lions defender Ndamukong Suh as the least-liked player in the NFL. My extensive knowledge of the league, its players, and the factors that contribute to their public perception positions me to provide valuable insights.
The Forbes poll, which gauges the likability of NFL players, sheds light on the subjective nature of fan sentiments towards certain athletes. The criteria for appeal, as outlined in the poll, includes factors such as performance, behavior, and even the financial aspects of their contracts. It's crucial to note that appeal is not solely based on on-field accomplishments but extends to off-field conduct, public image, and how players align with fan expectations.
Let's dissect the information provided in the article, where each player's appeal percentage and a brief explanation from Forbes are given:
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Brady Quinn (Kansas City Chiefs): Despite a salary of $1.5 million, Quinn's appeal is at 31%, with Forbes attributing his lower likability to under-delivery, drawing a parallel to Mark Sanchez but on a different scale.
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Mark Sanchez (New York Jets): Earning $7.9 million, Sanchez's appeal also stands at 31%. Forbes suggests that high expectations from being a top pick, coupled with the presence of Tim Tebow on the Jets' roster, contribute to the scrutiny and impact his appeal.
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Santonio Holmes (New York Jets): With a salary of $9.2 million and an appeal of 28%, Holmes is highlighted for his attitude issues, leading to his departure from Pittsburgh, even though the Jets invested significantly in him.
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Kyle Orton (Dallas Cowboys): Despite being a backup quarterback with a salary of $2.6 million, Orton's appeal is at 27%. The article references the polarizing nature of Dallas quarterbacks, and Orton's up-and-down career in Chicago and Denver is mentioned.
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Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys): As the Cowboys' quarterback with an $8 million salary, Romo's appeal also stands at 27%. The polarization of the Cowboys as a team is emphasized, and being the quarterback intensifies the love-hate relationship fans have with him.
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Matt Leinart (Oakland Raiders): Earning $700,000, Leinart has an appeal of 26%. Forbes points out that despite being a first-round pick from USC, his journey through three teams and limited starts suggests a cautionary tale about not acting like a star until proven.
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Randy Moss (San Francisco 49ers): With a salary of $2.5 million and an appeal of 24%, Moss is dubbed as the NFL's premier wide receiver diva following Terrell Owens' departure.
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Michael Vick (Philadelphia Eagles): Despite a substantial salary of $13.9 million, Vick's appeal is at 23%. Forbes acknowledges his progress since legal troubles but notes a big new contract and uneven performance in 2012 as current challenges.
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Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears): Earning $9.6 million, Cutler's appeal is at 21%, with Forbes describing him as inconsistent, whiny with teammates and coaches.
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Ndamukong Suh (Detroit Lions): Topping the list with a salary of $6.6 million and an appeal of 19%, Suh is noted for his decline in popularity since entering the league, attributed to a reputation for dirty play on the defensive line.
In conclusion, the Forbes poll provides a comprehensive overview of how various factors contribute to the likability or lack thereof of NFL players, showcasing the intricate interplay between on-field performance, public image, and fan expectations.
