The world of sport is vast, complicated and pretty bloody awesome.
The athletes, coaches or even administrators can be heroes for some and villains for others. Where you popped out in this wonderful world will determine your attitude on who you adore, who you tolerate and who you just plain hate.
I have come up with a list of those controversial sporting souls I love to hate with a brief explanation for each.
The list, in no particular order:
Gus Gould
I call him captain bloody obvious, plus the fact he orchestrated the biggest coaching merry go round ever seen this year.
Eddie Maguire
This could just be the Collingwood connection, but I’m still annoyed he managed to convince the AFL to get rid of interstate salary cap concessions, plus he is the president of Collingwood Football Club.
Pooper
I count them as one entity now. One is an overpaid, overrated seagull who is also a captain. The other is a world-class flanker who constantly troubles the ABs, has a social conscience, biceps the size of Quade Cooper’s ego and a nice guy.
I dislike them both as much as I hate the word pooper.
Quade Cooper
The greatest thing to happen to NZ rugby in ten years. Good luck to the Rebels.
Sepp Blatter
There are thousands of corrupt officials around the globe but Sepp Blatter and his FIFA cronies at the time were beyond greedy.
Floyd Mayweather
Without a doubt one of the greatest boxers of all time, but insert his extended rap sheet here.
Anthony Mundine
Credit where it is due, he has hung around long past his used by date by being controversial and polarising. He has made a fair chunk of money in the process. Still, one of the people Australians love to hate most. Come on Horne.
Barry Hall
He can throw a punch as well as a sexist remark or two. Triple M done well.
Jarryd Hayne
The man can dream. Had the potential to have been one of the true greats in league but his ego got in the way. Probably went three dreams too far.
Michael Cheika
Being a Kiwi I do love seeing the Wallabies getting beaten but we are at that point where NZ and Australian Rugby needs the Wallabies doing well again. I have never seen the current lack of hope from the majority of Wallaby fans ever and the buck stops with Cheika, plus he led the Waratahs to a one-point win against the Crusaders in 2015 (still hurts).
So, that is my list. I couldn’t put a 1-10 on it, too much emotional energy was already spent on it. Have I got it right? Who have I missed? How wrong am I?
KCR
Guest
Sorry mate, meant to say good article. You have managed to tap into something interesting about how people can think of one way about some athletes and not others. It's one of the more interesting things about sports as apposed to movies, we are not given villains in sport sometimes we have to make them, cheers.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Look, I personally don't think the situations are at all analogous, so I think it's better if we simply agree to disagree. I do appreciate that not all Kiwi fans booed him. However, given the history of Kiwi fans and Quade I think that it is perhaps an especially charged issue when a Kiwi fan talks about 'loving' 'hating' him. Especially given, judging by the tone of the article I somehow doubt the author was one of those that tried to tone down the booing (I fully accept I could be mistaken here and probably should not even be assuming).
Caddyshack
Roar Rookie
He is an interesting character, love him or hate him he gets people interested. I have heard of his good qualities as well, as mentioned earlier its a lighthearted article with no real malice. Just interested to hear peoples views.
Over here
Roar Rookie
Coincidence that he was run out of QLD reds by a kiwi? I hope QC tears it up with the rebels.
KCR
Guest
I have always wondered why Anthony Mundine is considered controversial. He is a devoted father and husband who has never touched drugs or alchohole and never been on the wrong side of the law. We live in a country that seems to forgive disgusting behaviour from Athletes, yet this man who has done nothing wrong but say a few words to sell a fight is considered controversial.
Caddyshack
Roar Rookie
Haha fair enough.
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
I take issue with Quadie being considered an icon. He's more of an anomaly.
Caddyshack
Roar Rookie
Love the fact there are 3 categories...respect
Mick Kelly
Guest
I find I have three categories of 'dislike': 1. Opposition players, or players that are against my favourite players, that are generally quite good at what they do - Gus, Ayrton Senna (wasn't so much i disliked him, but was a Prost man myself), Lewis Hamilton, Adam Gilchrest (took healy's job), Aaron Gwin 2. Players I should be backing but something about them, or lots of things about them, rub me the wrong way - Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith, Jarrod Hayne 3. People i just think are 'knobs' - Warner, Kyrgios, Tomic
piru
Roar Rookie
Tom Brady
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Not all AB fans have booed him, some of us have tried to get it toned down. It started with a few run ins with McCaw which is a red rag to a bull for some AB fans. Much like criticism of Folau for some Wallaby fans. His remarks of liking being public enemy No1 in the lead up to the World Cup was a mistake but does not justify the constant booing and bullying (bullying never is). This list was a lighted commentary on how serious some people take sporting figures. The ‘Ritchity Grub’ article and the plethora of articles and commentary about McCaws cheating contradicts ‘every fan and player’ respecting him.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Personally, I didn't find it particularly funny, but that is just me. However, you had fairly articulate reasons for your 'hate' of the other people (even if one was just the Collingwood connection). Whereas with Quade, as per usual with New Zealand fans, there wasn't a reason. When the man is a victim of disgraceful mass-bullying by a significant portion of fans from a country for 8 years, and someone from that country makes a joke about how much they 'love to hate' him (for no reason), I don't think it is particularly amusing. Just mean-spirited.
Caddyshack
Roar Rookie
The article was a bit of fun, what I find telling is your extreme defensiveness of QC, maybe its colouring your judgement. There are 9 other people on the list and you didn't mention anyone else...telling.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
You're right, and your decision to try and revel in your 'hate' (as you put it) of Quade is quite telling.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Yeah, it's hilarious to make a joke about Kiwis hating QC given the history of your rugby fans' mob bullying of him since 2011 – and to call him 'the greatest thing to happen to NZ rugby in ten years. Good luck to the Rebels.' Sorry, generally I don't find bullying or snide comments about people already the victims of it particularly funny. Also, awful comparison with McCaw. McCaw might have been resented, but every fan and player on earth has great respect for him – not in any way comparable to man who has been subject to mass booing by All Black fans for 8 years.
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
I don't hate him, he exasperates me; just when I think he's got it together, he proves me wrong. A great talent that I hope he doesn't waste, but if he wants to play basketball, he should go and do it.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
That’s what you took from this article? Clearly it is tongue in cheek and just meant to be funny. There is a fair among of hate out there for Cooper so it is justified putting him here. As a staunch AB fan I am fine to nominate MacCaw in there, think he was well hated around the world. Doesn’t mean he wasn’t great at what he did (in fact that’s why he was hated).
Caddyshack
Roar Rookie
As I said we all have those we adore and those we don't, that's the beauty of sport. Each to their own I say.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Yet another All Black fan trying to justify their hate for Quade Cooper. Very sad article.
Caddyshack
Roar Rookie
Another good call, could throw Tomic in as well.