Top 10 Athletes Who Joined Archrival Teams

Top 10 Athletes Who Joined Archrival Teams

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For sports fans, an athlete's loyalty is equally as important as their success and hard work. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top 10 Athletes Who Joined Archrival Teams. For this list, we’re looking at those athletes who – via trade or personal choice – ended up joining the archrivals of one of their previous teams. We’re limiting our list specifically to athletes, however, and are not including managers or coaches.

The Boston/New York rivalry is one of the best in North America – regardless of sport – and that tradition continues with the Pats and Jets. The teams have shared players and coaches over the years, but arguably none was as big as cornerback Darrelle Revis. Revis was a star for the Jets, but after being traded away and eventually becoming an unrestricted free agent, he ended up signing a one-year contract with the Patriots, where he helped New England win a Super Bowl – to the dismay of Jets’ fans. He then re-signed with the Jets the following season! While Jets’ fans may get the last laugh, we think Patriots fans are more than happy with yet another Super Bowl trophy.

The bad boy of the NBA best known for his skill on defense and at rebounds, Rodman played seven seasons for the Detroit Pistons, helping them win back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. The resignation of Pistons coach and Rodman father figure Chuck Daly, however, caused the mercurial forward to demand a trade, and following a short stint with the San Antonio Spurs, Rodman found himself on the roster of Detroit’s biggest rival: the Chicago Bulls. Rodman’s ferocity was the perfect addition to the high-flying Michael Jordan-led Bulls, and with his help they went on to win three consecutive NBA championships from 1996 to 1998.

Selected by the Los Angeles Raiders in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft, Marcus Allen quickly became a fan favorite in Los Angeles as he ran over defenses repeatedly, in addition to rushing for 191 yards and scoring two touchdowns in a 38-9 victory over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII. His relationship with Raiders’ owner Al Davis, however, was frosty at best, and resulted in Allen leaving the team in 1993. To Raiders’ fans dismay, he joined the rival Chiefs, helping them reach the AFC Championship game the following year and contributing guidance and stability to the team and the city until he retired after the 1997 season.

Roger Clemens was drafted by the BoSox in 1983 and quickly rose through the system, winning 24 games in 1986, helping Boston to make the World Series. Clemens was the most important player for the Red Sox during his time in Boston, winning 192 games in 13 years. Concerns about the Rocket’s arm, however, resulted in his departure in 1996. Turns out, though, that those concerns were unfounded, and Clemens spent two lucrative and CY Young award-winning seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays before eventually ending up with the hated Yankees. He helped the Yanks win World Series titles in 1999 and 2000, causing Red Sox fans to forever vilify owner Dan Duquette for letting the star pitcher go.

This Argentinian goal-scoring machine helped Manchester United win the 2007-08 Champions League with five goals and a successful penalty attempt in the shoot-out in the final against Chelsea. Although he was a fan favorite, Tevez voiced his displeasure at not having been offered a permanent contract and informed his team that he would not be returning. Then, in 2009, he became the first player in a decade to move between the two Manchester clubs when he signed a contract with Man City. To make matters worse for United fans, Manchester City erected a giant billboard following the announcement of Tevez’s signing welcoming him to the team, just to rub salt to the wound.

#5: Sol Campbell (saul) Tottenham Hotspur F.C. to Arsenal F.C.

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Tottenham fans felt a special connection to Sol Campbell as they watched him develop through the club’s youth ranks, and soon enough he was Tottenham’s best player. Campbell wanted to play Champions League football, however, and turned down the chance to become the club’s highest paid player ever, instead electing to leave Tottenham for Arsenal – the club’s biggest rivals. Spurs fans were irate, especially considering Campbell had previously said he’d never play for Arsenal. Although William Gallas also caused a stir when he went from Chelsea to Arsenal and then to Tottenham, the Campbell move hurt fans more since he’d come up through the youth ranks. Even today, some Spurs supporters refer to Campbell as Judas for his betrayal.

Brett Favre will go down as one of the greatest Packers of all-time, but feelings are still a little frosty between Favre and Packers’ fans since he signed a contract with the rival Minnesota Vikings in 2009. Following the 2007 season, Favre tearfully announced his retirement, but soon changed his mind and expressed his desire to return to the NFL. The Packers chose to move on, however, and before they knew it Favre was wearing the purple and gold. The Gunslinger defeated his former team twice in 2009, but the Packers got the last laugh by winning both of their matchups. Favre officially retired after the 2010 season. For good.

Cole saw his childhood dreams come true in 1999 when he joined Arsenal, his favorite team growing up. With Arsenal, he quickly became one of the best defenders in the Premier League, and helped his club win the FA Cup three times. The relationship turned sour in a hurry, however, when Cole claimed Arsenal’s contract offer was so low it caused him to “tremble with anger.” As a result he joined Chelsea, who ended up paying him more than twice as much. Cole quickly released a public statement forgiving Arsenal, but will the club or its fans ever truly forgive him? Considering some angry Arsenal fans call him “Cashley Cole,” we’re not so sure…

#2: Babe Ruth Boston Red Sox to New York Yankees

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Another Boston-New York entry to make our list, this is arguably where the great sports rivalry began. As a member of the Red Sox, the Bambino became a star, both at the plate and on the mound, leading Boston to three World Series championships. In 1919, however, he was infamously sold by Red Sox owner Harry Frazee to the Yankees. While Frazee used the money to finance a Broadway musical, Ruth led the Yankees to seven American League pennants and four World Series titles while the Red Sox began a decades-long era of futility. The “Curse of the Bambino” was eventually broken in 2004, thanks to the help of Johnny Damon, who would also controversially leave Boston for New York. Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions: - Marián Hossa Pittsburgh Penguins to Detroit Red Wings to Chicago Blackhawks - Eric Cantona Leeds to Manchester United F.C. - Jared Allen Minnesota Vikings to Chicago Bears - Mo Johnston Celtic to Rangers

#1: Luís Figo FC Barcelona to Real Madrid C.F.

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Although Luís Figo had been playing football for nearly five years, his career climbed to new heights when he joined FC Barcelona. Forming a lethal attack alongside Ronaldo, Figo quickly became a fan favorite in Catalonia for his performance on the field and because his joining the team was akin to an endorsement of the region by a prominent outsider. These feelings vanished in 2000, however, when Figo stunned football fans by joining Real Madrid for a world record $60.1 million. In his first game against his former club, Barça fans – the same ones who had adored Figo – called him a mercenary and a traitor, throwing bottles, cigarette lighters and a pig’s head at him. Do you agree with our list? Were you ever mad that a player went over to the dark side? For more exciting Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.