Sports heroes with soured reputations
Lance Armstrong isn't the only sports hero whose reputation has taken a turn for the worse
Tiger Woods, an American golfer, is the highest-paid professional athlete in the world. He went on hiatus from the golf circuit in December, 2009, after admitting to extramarital affairs with multiple women. ?I knew my actions were wrong but I convinced myself that normal rules didn't apply. I never thought about who I was hurting, instead I thought only about myself,? he said in a televised statement in February, 2010. He is shown here with his wife, Elin Nordegren.Robyn Beck/AFP / Getty Images
Sammy Sosa, one of Major League Baseball's home run kings, was discovered to have been using a corked bat in games in 2003 and 2004. In June, 2009, the New York Times reported that Sosa was tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003. He was the fifth MLB player to reach the 600 home run milestone, and holds the record for most home runs by a player born outside the United States.Rick Bowmer/The Associated Press
Michael Vick, a quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles football team, was the first African-American to be selected first overall in the National Football League draft. In 2007, he was convicted of felony charges due to involvement in an illegal inter-state dog fighting ring. He spent 21 months in prison.Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images
Kobe Bryant, shown with his wife, Vanessa, plays basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2003, Katelyn Faber, a 19 year-old employee at a hotel where Mr. Bryant was a guest, accused him of sexual assault. He admitted a sexual encounter took place with the woman, but denied allegations of assault. Charges were dropped after Ms. Faber refused to testify. ?Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual,? said Mr. Bryant in a statement after his court hearing, ?I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did.?J. Emilio Flores/Getty Images
Mark McGwire broke the Major Leage Baseball record for most home runs in a season in 1998. In the same year, he admitted to taking androstenedione, an over-the-counter muscle enhancement drug banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and the NFL, but still legal in the MLB at the time. In 2010 he admitted to using steroids during his playing career. ?I was given a gift to hit home runs,? he told an interviewer on the MLB Network. ?I truly believe so. The only reason I took steroids was for health purposes.?Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Michael Phelps is an American swimmer who has won 14 Olympic gold medals. After a photograph was leaked in 2009 by a British tabloid of Mr. Phelps using a bong to smoke marijuana, he was suspended by USA Swimming, and lost his endorsement contract with Kellogg?s.Danny Moloshok/Reuters