WHEN DISGRACED AUSTRALIAN cricketer Steve Smith faced the cameras in Sydney on Thursday with a tearful apology for a ball-tampering scandal, he joined a small club of sports stars who have very publicly said sorry.
Athletes have played the penitent for everything from cheating at their sport to cheating on a wife; from pre-meditated assault on a rival to simply losing.
Here are five high-profile mea culpas:
Gianluigi Buffon – 2017
Fans reacted with shock and disbelief last year when Italy failed to qualify for the football World Cup for the first time since 1958 — a failure dubbed an “apocalypse” by the nation’s press.
“I’m not sorry for myself but all of Italian football,” an inconsolable team captain Gianluigi Buffon said after the Azzuri missed out on qualification for the 2018 edition in Russia. “We failed at something which also means something on a social level. There’s regret at finishing like that, not because time passes.”
Buffon, one of the greatest goalkeepers of the modern era, also announced his retirement from international football after Sweden went through at Italy’s expense. However, he has since returned for the national side.
Lance Armstrong – 2013
Cycling star Lance Armstrong admitted in a 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey that he took performance-enhancing drugs during his career.
“I made my decisions. They’re my mistake. And I’m sitting here today to acknowledge that and to say I’m sorry for that,” the disgraced athlete told Winfrey.
The American cyclist and cancer-survivor had all his titles, including seven Tour de France wins, taken away over the scandal, which shattered his reputation as one of the most widely admired athletes in the world for both his sporting achievements and his philanthropic work through the Livestrong Foundation.
Tiger Woods – 2010
Golf superstar Tiger Woods went on national television in 2010 to apologise to his family after a string of scandalous disclosures about his private life, including the revelation that he was a serial cheat.
“I know I have severely disappointed all of you. I have made you question who I am and how I have done the things I did. I am embarrassed that I have put you in this position,” Woods said. “For all that I have done, I am so sorry. I have a lot to atone for.”
The scandal seriously damaged the American’s carefully-cultivated image, sent his sponsors fleeing and eventually ended his marriage.
Marion Jones – 2007
US sprinter Marion Jones was sentenced to six months in jail and banned for two years for using performance-enhancing drugs before the 2000 Sydney Games — and lying to US federal investigators.
“It is with a great amount of shame that I stand before you and tell you that I have betrayed your trust,” a tearful Jones said after pleading guilty to the charges in October 2007. “I have let (my family) down, I have let my country down, and I have let myself down.”
Jones was stripped of the three gold and two bronze medals she won in Sydney, and was also ordered to repay over $100,000 in prize and bonus money.
Tonya Harding – 1994
American figure skater Tonya Harding was banished from the sport over an attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan, who had her knee bashed a month before the 1994 Winter Olympics.
A visibly emotional Harding apologised a few months after the attack for not honestly reporting what she discovered about the plot — hatched by her ex-husband — but denied she had any prior knowledge.
“Many of you will be unable to forgive me for that. It will be difficult to forgive myself,” she said in a 1994 press statement, and appeared to choke up several times.
Harding was later convicted of trying to cover up the conspiracy, which was the subject of the acclaimed 2017 film “I, Tonya”.
Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy
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The rest of the league is improving, if that continues then great. Hibs are a joy to watch for instance with a good manager. Steve Clarke has worked wonders with Kilmarnock also. Aberdeen are very consistent. Another close season and some good buys then hopefully these sides will be even stronger next year.
The most important thing is the negotiation of the new TV deal.
@Ciaran Rice: yeah hopefully Scottish football improves for all our sakes.
@Ciaran Rice: you knew I was going to comment. Jesus Ciaran I think you are a secret Hibs fan. The love in from Celtic fans towards Hibs is laughable due to Lenny being at the helm.
Now there’s you harping on about how competitive this league is and there’s MON stating this is the worst rangers team he has ever seen yet there is only 3 points separating aberdeen, Hibs and the rangers and you are singing the praises of the other two
@Mel Roberts: I appreciate the football that Hibs play. I praised Kilmarnock too. They aren’t as good to watch as they don’t have the players that Hibs do but they are very well organised and drilled by Steve Clarke.
@Ciaran Rice: Gerard is a catholic according to Wikipedia. Wonder how Rangers faithful will react?
@Ciaran Rice: awww Scottish pub football. That’s nice!
@Henry Porter: let’s not tell them for the craic.
@Roibeard O’ Beachain: fk off back to Brighton ya West brit
Just need another team to challenge Celtic, doesn’t have to be rangers. Why not have a strong Hibs team and begin a glasgow – Edinburgh rivalry which could be just as good for Scottish football
Rangers under Gerrard will slip
@Maurice Bourke: I’d say you’re the first person to ever make that joke.
@Maurice Bourke: Yep Glasgow isnt a good place for former Liverpool players to begin managerial careers as John Barnes can testify
Let rangers rot, they bring nothing to the league.
@Ray Farrell: most successful Scottish team by a bit still!
@Gavin Scott: 9 or 10 illegal Scottish titles but never kings of Europe.
@Jamie McCormack: And their fans are hated worldwide .
Martin is beginning to sound a little like the cheerleaders in the Scottish press now.Was he not bothered by the industrial strength cheating when he was up against the old club?Scotland needs a strong Aberdeen,Hibs and the like and not just this particular club which is still living way beyond its means.
I don’t see this as a poisoned chalice for Gerrard at all. All he really needs to do is establish rangers as the undisputed no2 in Scotland and be competitive with Celtic in the head to heads especially at home. Draw a few and the odd win and the majority of fans will be content. The gap in the budgets will keep all bar the headbangers realistic. They should be a clear second and above for the very same reasons they are behind Celtic though and anything less will be inexcusable.
@tim dawson: this couldn’t be further from the truth. The Rangers fans are not going to accept being second to Celtic continuously. I’m going to assume you don’t understand football in Glasgow.
@tim dawson: You obviously dont watch Scottish Football. Neill Lennon and Hibs are miles ahead of Rangers.. Rangers have no money and will start spending stupidly to stop Celtic doing the 10 in a row.. Where as Hibs have decent young players, are playing brilliant football and a potential financial windfall if they sell McGinn to Celtic..
@David Garland: ahhh no they are not. Rangers and Aberdeen are both ahead of Hibs.
@Ciaran Rice: The majority will reluctantly imo. They wouldn’t have prior to sevco but they are a lot more clued in financially now than they used to be and than the average big club fan. Yes they want to finish above Celtic but not by bankrupting the club. They will not accept finishing behind anyone else though and They will not accept second to anyone if the money is there through a new owner etc but in the current circumstances they have no choice and they know it.
@David Garland: I don’t they will. As for hibs etc that’s why Murty was sacked. I agree that hibs are playing good football. It’s great to see them getting full houses.
Puke football…and i support finn harps
@Jono: you’re speaking from experience so
O’Neill would know all about dreadful teams
a joke League at least in the LOi most of the top half are comppeting
If rangers won just 2 of the old firm games Brendan Rogers would probably be about to be replaced by Gerard
Hibs are crap. When was the last time they won the league?
Sevco are a joke and deserve to be laughed at. Relegation could be a reality for them next season.
@Trevi Fountain: what has their last title win got to do with the current Hibs team being good? Nothing?
When was the last time you watched Hibs?
One less team to pillage the rest, gives Aberdeen, hibs hearts etc a chance to build teams and not have the best ripped away from them