Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was suspended without pay for the remainder of the NFL season on November 18 for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Peterson has been on the exempt/commissioner's permission list -- which kept him off the field, with pay -- since September after allegations he disciplined his 4-year-old son too harshly with a "switch" or thin stick. Initially charged with felony child abuse, Peterson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault in November. He was reinstated in April.
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was suspended without pay for the remainder of the NFL season on November 18 for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Peterson has been on the exempt/commissioner's permission list -- which kept him off the field, with pay -- since September after allegations he disciplined his 4-year-old son too harshly with a "switch" or thin stick. Initially charged with felony child abuse, Peterson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault in November. He was reinstated in April.
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Running back Ray Rice was cut by the NFL's Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the league in 2014. Those measures came after video from a casino elevator showed he delivered a knockout punch to his then-fiancee and current wife, Janay. Prior to the revelation of the video, Rice was given only a two-game suspension by the league. Rice called his actions "inexcusable" in July. After his suspension, he sent a text to CNN stating, "I'm just holding strong for my wife and kid that's all I can do right now."
Running back Ray Rice was cut by the NFL's Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the league in 2014. Those measures came after video from a casino elevator showed he delivered a knockout punch to his then-fiancee and current wife, Janay. Prior to the revelation of the video, Rice was given only a two-game suspension by the league. Rice called his actions "inexcusable" in July. After his suspension, he sent a text to CNN stating, "I'm just holding strong for my wife and kid that's all I can do right now."
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Tennis player Viktor Troicki completed an 18-month suspension for not providing a blood sample for a doping test at the Monte Carlo Masters in April 2013. One of the world's top tennis players at the time, Troicki claimed a doctor conducting the blood test allowed him to miss the procedure. When he returned to the sport in July, the 28-year-old player was ranked 842nd.
Tennis player Viktor Troicki completed an 18-month suspension for not providing a blood sample for a doping test at the Monte Carlo Masters in April 2013. One of the world's top tennis players at the time, Troicki claimed a doctor conducting the blood test allowed him to miss the procedure. When he returned to the sport in July, the 28-year-old player was ranked 842nd.
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Uruguay soccer star Luis Suarez served a four-month suspension from the sport after he bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder during a World Cup game in June. He was also banned for nine international matches and fined $111,000.
Uruguay soccer star Luis Suarez served a four-month suspension from the sport after he bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder during a World Cup game in June. He was also banned for nine international matches and fined $111,000.
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Cyclist Lance Armstrong lost his seven Tour de France titles and received a lifetime ban by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency after he declared in 2012 that he wouldn't fight charges of illegal doping. Later, he admitted to using banned performance-enhancing drugs during his cycling career.
Cyclist Lance Armstrong lost his seven Tour de France titles and received a lifetime ban by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency after he declared in 2012 that he wouldn't fight charges of illegal doping. Later, he admitted to using banned performance-enhancing drugs during his cycling career.
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New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez served a 162-game suspension for doping -- the most severe in baseball history for performance-enhancing drug use. Missing the entire 2014 season cost Rodriguez his $25 million salary.
New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez served a 162-game suspension for doping -- the most severe in baseball history for performance-enhancing drug use. Missing the entire 2014 season cost Rodriguez his $25 million salary.
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Basketball player Ron Artest, now named Metta World Peace, was suspended for 86 games in 2004 after he jumped into the stands and fought with fans in Detroit. The melee began after somebody threw a drink on him.
Basketball player Ron Artest, now named Metta World Peace, was suspended for 86 games in 2004 after he jumped into the stands and fought with fans in Detroit. The melee began after somebody threw a drink on him.
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Tonya Harding, the first female figure skater to complete a triple axel in competition, received a lifetime ban from U.S. Figure Skating after her ex-husband attacked rival skater Nancy Kerrigan before the 1994 Winter Olympics. The U.S. federation concluded that Harding, seen here at left next to Kerrigan, knew about the attack beforehand and engaged in "unethical behavior."
Tonya Harding, the first female figure skater to complete a triple axel in competition, received a lifetime ban from U.S. Figure Skating after her ex-husband attacked rival skater Nancy Kerrigan before the 1994 Winter Olympics. The U.S. federation concluded that Harding, seen here at left next to Kerrigan, knew about the attack beforehand and engaged in "unethical behavior."
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In 1967, Muhammad Ali was stripped of his World Boxing Association title and banned by virtually every state's licensing authority after he refused induction into the U.S. Army and became a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War. He returned to boxing more than three years later and eventually regained his title.
In 1967, Muhammad Ali was stripped of his World Boxing Association title and banned by virtually every state's licensing authority after he refused induction into the U.S. Army and became a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War. He returned to boxing more than three years later and eventually regained his title.
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