The Hornets' Derrick Coleman (above) leads off the list of Charlotte's most disliked sports figures. (Jeff Siner, file photo)
We’re always writing about the best this, the most popular that. So we’re changing it up a bit, particularly in light of all those fans who now feel betrayed by the Carolina Panthers’ Julius Peppers. Who have been the most disliked, despised, yes, even hated sports figures in
5. Jerry Reese: I'm sorry, but when one man messes with the will of the people by filing frivolous lawsuit after frivolous lawsuit, he's got to make this list. If not for Reese, Charlotte would be well on its way to having an uptown minor league baseball stadium, the Knights suddenly within easy reach of the entire city. We might even be seeing baseball here this summer. Not with the hardheaded Reese being a human roadblock, though.
4. Derrick Coleman: He’s long gone now, but his picture is next to fat, slow and lazy in most
3. Bruton Smith: He has done lots of good things through the years, but the bottom line is that he held the town of
2. Bob Johnson: I’m sorry Bob, when you own a basketball team, occasionally act like you care about the people who come to watch them. Johnson rolled into town, raised ticket prices his first year even though the team was still playing in the old coliseum, and put the Bobcats on a TV station that he hoped would create revenue for, uh, Bob Johnson. Problem was, no one could watch it and no loyalty to the new guys was built as a result. Johnson wants first and foremost to make money on this team. Sorry Bob, it’s the NBA.
1. George Shinn: The man who brought major league sports to
—Stan Olson
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64 comments:
How about that dumbass real estate attorney holding up downtown baseball.
Anon, Jerry Reese came really close to making this list. One person has messed up minor league baseball in Charlotte for everyone else. This is when a legal system that normally works proves to be really messed up.
How about SEAN MAY- a far more worthless basketball player than Derrick Coleman ever dreamed of being. Hey Sean, just go have another donut before hanging out at Phil's rather than focusing on helping your basketball team and not weighing 300lbs.
how bout george sefeirt almost always aloof.looking at the score board with a injured player on the field.and last but not least the 1-15 record.
Four out of five of these people earned their spot on the list but Bob Johnson didn't. All he did was bring the NBA back to Charlotte and tried to keep it from being as big of a loss as it could be. The team clearly made mistakes early on but they weren't selfish mistakes as you seem to indicate. This team is a real asset to the city and I'm sorry for all area basketball fans who are missing out on the opportunity to be a real fan of this group. This team plays with more heart than any other I see in the league today and the organization is bending over backwards to engage the community. Time to back them as best we can with the reduced diposable income we have to do so.
Kelly Tripuka
I agree that that Bob Johnson doesn't 'deserve' to be on this list. He is noway like George Shinn. Eventually, he may have a good team and get some love.
How about another Hornet name... Allan Bristow.
Dishonorable mention... Ray Woolridge.
I can't really argue with any of the five on the list. I do find it funny (yet accurate) that George Shinn was so hated that even a convicted murderer first-round draft pick from the Panthers couldn't beat him for the #1 spot.
Kerry Collins for quitting the team deserves consideration and so does Wooldridge of the Hornets. If Peppers doesn't watch out, he might find himself on one of these lists one day.
I think we are about to have a new top 5 if Peppers leaves.
Where is Kerry Colllins? There are plenty of PSL owners who would like to have their say. After he quit and Panthers cut him and he joined the Saints you should have been in the stands that day.
I feel like Woolridge deserves to be on that list, and so does Bob Johnson. The Bobcats franchise has been a complete disaster from top to bottom - and the way he's handled that team has been an embarassment from Day one.
Who cares about Minor league baseball in uptown? Nobody, that's who. Don't believe me, just build it - and they won't come.
Um, why is Bruton Smith listed among the list of most disliked "Charlotte" sports figures? Your justification talks about Concord, and last I checked Concord was not in Charlotte. Must be nice not to have anyone to answer to...except the public at large.
Guys, Collins is an interesting choice we never thought of. May and Woolridge are legit candidates as well, although the latter was more like a puppet to take the heat off of George. We stand by Johnson; with the economy going in the hopper last fall, he criticized businesses that were being forced to lay off workers for not "supporting" i.e. spending money on the Bobcats...
I will have to agree with Kerry Collins. Beyond his arrogant attitude towards Carolina. He was a notorious drunk. DUI comes to mind.
i say.....who cares about any of them... i think u should put "THE FANS" at #1.. bunch of cry babies. Bobcat tix lowest tix is 5.00 and yet that section isn't sold out. P.A.P (Punk A$$ Panther) fans aren't as bad. But don't get me wrong.. I'm a Tampa Bay fan. (yes, a Buc fan. Super bowl Champs) and i wear my team clothes 2 every PAP game. Nobody says anything but, "Hey sit down, i'm trying to watch the game".. i would be beat up doing that in PHilly or dallas (basically any REAL FOOTBALL city) Every body filin out the gates end of 3rd quater.. what a bunch of dweebs...
Kerry Collins! David Carr? Jeff Lewis? Sean Gilbert? Jason Peters? Ray Woolridge for sure!
Collins absolutely has to be on the list, and I agree Bob should come off. He still has time to change his legacy, and even if it ended today he doesn't deserve it.
Hey Tampa fan, I bet you had fun at the game this year. It must have felt great to watch your team unravel like that in person. From first place in the division to missing the playoffs and firing your Superbowl winning coach. If you would have been standing in front of me you would have gotten a boot to the back of your head and a beer shower.
Honestly there is an idiot out there who does not comprehend why Bruton Smith is on the list because the speedway is in Concord and not Charlotte? Really you had nothing better to do with your day than nitpick over that. Uh, before it was LMS it was referred to as what? What was that I can't hear you?
Bruton only held Concord hostage after a couple NIMBY's dumb enough to buy a house near the track tried to keep him from building the drage strip. Concord deserves the grief bruton gave them.
Kerry Collins should definitely be on this list. And while we're at it, where's Kendall Gill? He gave the Hornet the runaround for a long time until we traded him.
Todd Sauerbrun? Or how about Todd "False Start" Steussie?
After last Sunday's "performance" at Daytona, I'd expect to see Dale Jr. at the top of many people's lists.
I have to say Dan Morgan. The man played one out of 8 games in his time here, and actually had the nerve to ask for a raise. He played the Richardson's like a cheap suit. Good riddance!!
Hey tampafan-I believe I talked to you at the Monday night game right? You pee'd on your self coming out of the jon-haha. That girl you had with you was a BEAST. The hair on her chin-not cool man. Anyway, I noticed how you didnt mention tampa and that town's fans/atmosphere. Furthermore, your country ass town dont even have a pro basketball franchise and never will get one. All sports in florida suck and are leaving there perspective towns. Go back there and remember me saying this...if the Panthers are in the league for over 30 years and we haven't won s world championship yet (like the *ucs did for 30+ yrs.), then I will shoot myself in the head-for sure. Sorry we knocked you out of the playoffs this year. Oh my bad, Oakland (haha) did that!
Kerry Collins was a young kid when he was here. The real idiot was Dom Capers. Collins needed help as many 25 year old kids do. Instead Capers wentt public with their dispute. Horrible coach as well with a dead animal on his head. Look at the NFL, who is still playing and who failed AGAIN at head coaching.
Hey Tampa Fan - you didn't mention your own team as a real football city either b/c it isn't. So shut your piehole! As far as most hated, I agree Jerry Reese should be on there. He's prevented the great option of having baseball uptown. Bob Johnson I think is starting to make an honest effort at being a good citizen around here. The Bobcats have made a lot of improvements this year. Anyone who's watched them will agree this is a hard working bunch. I look forward to seeing them in the playoffs soon. Go 'Cats!
Kendall Gill
What! Johnny Valentine, Rip Hawk, Blackjack Mulligan, Homer Odell, and Ric Flair are not the top five...heck, I remember bringing knives into the stands to try and stab them as they walked to the ring.
-Bob Johnson definitely belongs on the list.
-Kerry Collins might be a contender. Carolinians knew him when he was a drunk.
-Shinn took our Hornets, nobody missed him. But I still miss that team. Anybody remember Muggsy, Grandma-ma, etc?
-Jerry Reese is a jerk. Get a minor league uptown stat.
-I already shredded my Peppers jersey.
Should be on the list:
-Kerry Collins
-Rony Seikaly
Should not be:
-Bruton Smith
No Alonzo Mourning? Before he went through the health concerns - and won a Championship - he HAD TO be hated by most everyone in Charlotte following the travesty that he participated in with Grand MaMa...
Anyone remember how much we hated Rony Seikley when the hornets were here?
Todd Saurkrautonabun is a good one too...
How about Sean Gilbert, Derrek Coleman Kris Jenkins and Sean May. Get them all on the "Biggest Loser Show" for two reasons
They were all Out of shape and real life losers!!
And TBfan, dude, your comment shows the intelligence level of All of FL....
I have this to say: ALL SPORTS IN CAROLINA SUCK! You fans are about as band wagon as they get...one minute you love them the next you hate them...no loyalty. MY COWBOYS ARE TERRIBLE and I still wear my Blue and Silver. J Pepp stay your washed up, freak of nature self out of Dallas. We have enough garbage to through out! Piss ant bama.
Did someone say Kelly Tripuka just to piss off people?
Hey TXAN, are you one of those goofball adults that insists on wearing a game jersey?
Sean May should be on this list....WHAT A WASTE OF $$$
WELL LOOKY, LOOKY... all i had to do is get on a web-blog-comment thingy-majig to find some "real fans" yeah right. bunch of panzies.. TAMPA lost.. yeah yeah,. but it wasn't b/c we had a MR. BO'JANGLES back there doin the "Shuffle foot" going half 'tard throwin 1,2,3,4,5 pic like its the lotto. WTF??? Gave MR. FALSE-START himself big money. bunch of suits wanting to be hip chumps (not all the fans, but the older that leaves mid game to go change there DEPENDS). I've never see it b4. I'll get the 300 level tix and upgrade mid game to better seats... thanks P.A.P's.
what about forgot his name..Wesley for the hornets... and his other teamate. racing like a bunch of half tards down Tyvola Rd. Killin a teamate.. WTF?? what abt the coach/GM that couldn't land (hate to say it, but i'm typin so anyway) Kobe Bryant. If carolina had them maybe the seats would be at least 1/4 full and the fans would stay till maybe the end of 2nd quater befor they pack there fanny packs, corny hats, wifes and busniess coat and leave.. What fans can't beat em, can't kick em.
How can everyone be against George Shinn. He brought professional sports here when no one ever thought he could.When he owned a team in Charlotte he actually would go outin public to support his team. There were also a lot of good times at the games where he provided entertainment that he didn't have too (remember most of the games were sold out). Now why does he belong on this list when all he asked for is exactly what the town of Charlotte gave dear old BOB.
Guys, after further reflection, we decided that Carruth's crime was far beyond the failings of our other list members, and he should not be compared to folks that we are mad at because of sports decisions. So he's off the list...
No one over the age of 25 should wear a jersey, so no i do not...but thanks for reading my comment!!!!!
@Biggers Townsend said...
"Who cares about Minor league baseball in uptown? Nobody, that's who. Don't believe me, just build it - and they won't come."
Dude, didn't I hear you whining during the debate over, and the building of the LYNX? Pretty sure you said the same thing then... and guess what?
Ball in uptown will be the thing. They will come.
Frankly, I'd put Rae Carruth at the top of the list.
And Rae Carruth hasn't come up in this blog yet??? Really??? I mean he had his pregnant girl friend shot...and that didn't make the list.
Umm, Ray Carruth? Nothing like killing the mother of your unborn child to make a list of losers..
SEAN MAY SEAN MAY SEAN MAY
Dear moron moderators. Please review your questionable rationale for not including Carruth. Title of the blog is "Five most disliked Charlotte sports figures". By your logic, his crimes were so horrific as to keep him from being disliked. Huh? Please don't dictate to us why we can or can't dislike a particular sports figure. He is the first person I thought of. Aside from being a gigantic POS, he is at the top of the list of athletes who made people wonder how so many bad guys ended up in Charlotte..
Ray Woolridge (top of the list)
Kerry Collins
Derrick Coleman
David Carr
Hey, for those who want baseball downtown why don't you build it with your own money. Do you idiots not realize we are in a recession!!!
How about Rea Carruth?
Really Stan?!? Bruton Smith? The speedway is a huge money maker for Cabarrus County and the entire Charlotte region, and that's without even considering the hundreds of racing businesses, teams, parts suppliers, marketing agencies, Hall of Fame, etc., that are in this area because of the Bruton's speedway. His Speedway Childrens Charities pumps millions of dollars into local and national non-profit organizations each year, yet he makes your top five? I could think of 10-20 current Charlotte sports figures that should be on this before Bruton.
I guess Tampa fan has never really been to Tampa before. The Rays went to the WS last year and they were among the worst in attendence except when the Yanks or Red Sox came to town. And the Lightning? please... Wasn't there a game just this past year for the Bucs where it rained and 3/4 of the stadium filed out b/c they were afraid of getting their hair wet or new manicures ruined? If you're going to talk trash, at least back it up by being a fan of some sports town like Cleveland or Green Bay... sheesh.
Bruton Smith should be off the list. He built his empire with his own money, not from the taxpayers, until the politicians tried to screw him over, and then he took them for millions to teach them a lesson. i wish more people would teach these scumbag politicans a lesson! Bruton would make my "Top 5" sports figures in Charlotte!
The fact they they were "giving" a free ticket to the Bobcats/Magic game as part of the $20 fee to get into yesterday's job fair is a perfect example of how little Charlotte cares about the Bobcats. You have to force people to go to the game.
Shoot....Just go test drive a Kia...you get 2 free tickets to the Bobcats just for a test drive...My wife and told the dealership to keep them. Just remember Mr. Johnson, we wouldn't give George Shinn his uptown arena...I believe I remember voting NO to that one year in an election. Maybe that should have been a clue to you WE DON'T WANT AN NBA TEAM. Don't expect us to support it!
TO me Reese is my most hated. the idiot has held up something that would help our economy cause im sure more people would go to games if the stadium was in driving distance. He needs to clear his head because charlotte is not even close to a major league team.
David Wesley and Bobby Phills (RIP) deserve mention for thier fine examples to our youth back in '2000. Drag racing down Tyvola Road in in the middle of a workday. Then they had the nerve to hoist Phill's jersey to the rafters.
I agree that Wesley and Phils deserve to be 2 and 3 on this list for killing an innocent Charlottean while drag racing. Number ONE has to be Sean May for taking money and being too much of a fat baby to even get in shape enough to play.
Bruton should be applauded, not made out to be a scoundrel. What have you ever done, Olsen?
Many people who have lived in Cabarrus County or Stanly County for the last 60 years have felt the sting from Bruton Smith, and have yet to be paid for services provided for his various business ventures.
Carruth fo' sho' over Bob Johnson
Sort of a silly list. For crying out loud, where is Rae Carruth. Talk about scum. As far as Bob Johnson... He was a major improvement over Shinn. I still feel that Jordan is the better answer longterm, but first thing is, the NBA franchise needs to find an identity with the community. If that means calling them the Hornets... than that is so.
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