Even the biggest sports stars aren´t immune to off-the-field drama. Over the decades, some of the world’s most famous athletes have found themselves in legal trouble, and the resulting arrest or booking photos became as infamous as their records on the field. In this article, you´ll find some historic athlete arrest photos that the world never forgot.
1. O.J. Simpson
The football legend’s 1994 arrest photo during the trial of the century remains one of the most recognizable images in sports history.
2. Mike Tyson
This shot of Mike Tyson getting deeply into it with officers after an intense bout will surely echo throughout history.
3. Allen Iverson
Before his NBA superstardom, Allen Iverson’s arrest photo became a flashpoint in numerous conversations about race and justice.
4. Johnny Manziel
The Heisman winner’s brush with the law produced a smirking mugshot fans still share online.
5. Michael Vick
His 2007 arrest for dogfighting shocked fans and casted a long shadow over his NFL career.
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6. Hope Solo
The U.S. soccer star’s 2014 arrest photo contrasted sharply with her World Cup hero image.
7. Charles Barkley
The outspoken NBA Hall of Famer´s 2008 DUI mugshot turned into a meme.
8. Tiger Woods
The 2017 DUI arrest photo of the golf legend went viral instantly and sparked worldwide commentary.
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9. Patrick Kane
The NHL star’s 2009 arrest in Buffalo produced a widely circulated photo.
10. Marshawn Lynch
A 2008 arrest and mugshot that contrasted with his later “Beast mode” branding.
11. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
His multiple mugshots over the years have been used in countless headlines about the boxing champ.
12. Jerramy Stevens
The former NFL tight end’s 2012 arrest photo tied into a story that also involved his then-fiancée, Hope Solo.
13. Plaxico Burress
The mugshot following his accidental nightclub shooting incident dominated sports news in 2008.
14. Oscar Pistorius
The Paralympic icon´s arrest image from South Africa shocked global fans.
15. Dennis Rodman
The NBA’s “Bad Boy” collected a string of mugshots, his hair making them unmistakable.
16. Ray Rice
His arrest image during the 2014 domestic violence scandal became part of a national conversation about the NFL.
17. Darryl Strawberry
The baseball star’s repeated mugshots in the 1990s told a story of talent and turmoil.
18. Jason Williams
The ex-Dallas Cowboys 2001 arrest photo after a huge marijuana bust stunned fans.
19. Tonya Harding
While technically not a mugshot, the police booking photo from the figure skating scandal remains an unforgettable image from the 1990s.
20. Rae Carruth
The former Carolina Panthers wide receiver’s 1999 arrest photo became one of the NFL´s most infamous off-tied images.
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Arrest photos of famous athletes are jarring because they puncture the myth of invictibility. They show legends at their most vulnerable and human, far from the highlight reels. If you loved this content, check out 29 Witty Comebacks and Roasts That Deserve Gold Medals, and 28 Clever Comebacks We Wish We Had Thought Of.
