Athletes Who Joined Their Sworn Enemy

Image via Complex Original

Old Team: San Francisco 49ers
New Team: Dallas Cowboys
Year: 1995

Primetime needed to be where the lights shined brightest. So when America's Team offered Deion Sanders a lucrative deal that would've made him the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL at the time (7 years / $38 million), you know Deion couldn't pass it up, regardless of allegiance to a certain team and their supposed rival. While Sanders did post better numbers as a member of the Niners, it's arguable whether or not Deion would've become the star that he became as one of the 'Boys after he helped them hoist the Lombardi trophy the very next season after winning one with San Francisco.

Old Team: New York Mets
New Team: New York Yankees
Year: 1996

Arguably one of the greatest pitchers in Mets history, Dwight Gooden accomplished plenty while rocking the blue and orange, including four All-Star selections, Rookie of the Year (1984) and the NL Cy Young in 1985. But after off-the-field issues started hampering his abilities on the mound, most notably, a 3-4 record with 6.31 ERA in 1994 prior to testing positive for cocaine, forced the Metropolitans to part ways with Gooden. After a year off from baseball, Doc signed with the crosstown rival Yankees where he went on to win two of his three championships in pinstripes and in his first season with the Yanks, he threw a no-hitter which is something the Mets just accomplished last year (Shouts to Johan!). Can you imagine the range of emotions going through Mets fans' heads the next day when picking up the paper?

Old Team: Rangers
New Team: Celtic
Year: 2006

There are few rivalries as intense as the one between the Rangers and Celtic. So, we don't even need to go into detail as to why one player going from one of these two teams to the other is simply crazy, right? Well, that's what Kenny Miller did...twice. After spending one year with the Rangers, Miller spent five seasons with the Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Celtic. After only one year with Celtic, and a stint with Derby County, the striker went back to the Rangers. Good to see that the guy's all about equal opportunity hate.

Old Team: Everton
New Team: Manchester United
Year: 2004

"Once a Blue, Always a Blue." That's the phrase Wayne Rooney had written on his shirt after scoring a goal for the Everton youth squad amidst rumors of an eventual departure from the team. While the gesture was a showing of commitment, his loyalty was much like his hairline in his 20s: fading fast. Eventually, the money became too powerful a persuader and Everton agreed to a lucrative transfer that sent Rooney to Manchester United. The rest is, well, hist...just a painful reminder of what could've been.

Old Team: Detroit Pistons 
New Team: Chicago Bulls
Year: 1995

While with the Pistons, Dennis Rodman went through some ups and downs, on and off the court. From the resignation of coach Chuck Daly to the divorce between himself and his wife, Rodman was going through a rough patch that culminated in a near suicide attempt in 1993. When in need of a new change in scenery, Rodman requested a trade and went to the Spurs, but his time there didn't go to smoothly. This mentality spurred (get it?) a desire for the Worm to move on and join Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the Bulls. There, Rodman won three more championships and bumped his total to five.

Old Team: Barcelona
New Team: Real Madrid
Year: 2000

What could possibly make a crowd want to toss a pig's head at a player in their return to the pitch? Ask Luis Figo, who did the unthinkable, leaving Barcelona during the peak of his popularity and joining rival club, Real Madrid. And, if you thought the three-year break in between the two teams squaring off would lessen the hatred Barca's faithful felt towards Figo, think again. After all, we told you about the pig's head, no?

Old Team: San Francisco Giants
New Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Year: 2005

Jeff Kent left the San Francisco Giants on bad terms. His sour relationship with everyone from the organization to star player Barry Bonds—which included a near fight in the dugout—forced Kent off the team and to the Houston Astros, which happened to be closer to his family's home in Texas. But, after a short stint with the Astros, Kent was on the move again and this time, he went over to the rival Dodgers where he played until he called it quits in 2008. Ironically, Kent has grown to be one of the best players ever to don the Dodger Blue while simultaneously developing into one of the most hated guys to ever rock a Giants jersey.

Old Team: Boston Red Sox
New Team: New York Yankees
Year: 1999

Roger Clemens is the whore of the American League East. Too strong? Maybe. Honest? Definitely. He doesn't believe in so-called sworn enemies and will go wherever he damn well pleases. Are you honestly surprised by this behavior by Clemens? After spending 12 amazing seasons as a member of the Red Sox where he won three Cy Young awards, Rocket joined the Blue Jays for two seasons where he found additional success, including two more Cy Young awards. Then, Roger went on to join the Yankees and helped them win two championships. He officially changed his status as a legendary Red Sock to just another member of the hated Evil Empire.

Old Team: Boston Celtics
New Team: Miami Heat
Year: 2012

Ray Allen may have been thinking about fading off into the sunset with a chip when he chose to join the Miami Heat in 2012, but did he ever consider the implications? Especially, given the fact that the Heat happen to be one of the Celtics' biggest rivals since LeBron James and the rest of the Big 3 decided to join forces. Ever since that day, Boston and Miami have developed a slight hatred for one another which showed when the two teams faced off in the opening game of the 2012-13 season. Former teammate Kevin Garnett couldn't even look Allen in the eye and acted as if he were invisible.

Old Team: Chicago Blackhawks
New Team: Detroit Red Wings
Year: 1999

Unless you're prepared to hear a long-winded rant from a Chicago Blackhawks fan, do not mention Chris Chelios. At 37, Chelios seemed to be in the twilight of his career. Or, at least, that's what the Chicago brass thought when they let him go to the hated Red Wings. Chelios eventually went on to win the Stanley Cup twice with Detroit. Chelios couldn't deliver one for the 'Hawks, so could you imagine Chicago fans seeing him hoist the Cup twice with Detriot? The horror!

Old Team: Green Bay Packers
New Team: Minnesota Vikings
Year: 2009

Brett Favre never knew when to call it quits. After announcing his retirement from football on March 4, 2008, Favre was already eyeing a comeback four months later! With the Packers already settling into their future with Aaron Rodgers, they rejected any notion of Brett being welcomed back to the Pack with open arms. Eventually, Favre was traded to the Jets where he played one brief, tumultuous season to which he retired again. Then, surprise surprise, Favre was back in the NFL and this time with the rival Minnesota Vikings. After coming four points away from going to the 2009 Super Bowl, Favre and the Vikings had a disastrous 2010 season, and Cheeseheads were able to sleep again.

Old Team: Boston Red Sox
New Team: New York Yankees
Year: 2012

It's kinda hard to believe our eyes when we see Kevin Youkilis in pinstripes. Maybe it's because we always thought Youkilis would be a member of the Red Sox for life. Yeah, he did get shipped off to the White Sox last season, but at the same time, we always thought a reunion was in the cards. Now, we need to settle into the reality that he's actually a Yank and it will be interesting to see how the Fenway faithful receive Youk this season. It may even make you want to tune into a baseball game for once...ahh, who are we kidding?

Old Team: Boston Red Sox
New Team: New York Yankees
Year: 1993

The Red Sox have a long list of players to hate. Wade Boggs is definitely on that list. In his last season with the BoSox, Boggs struggled at the plate culminating in his first year without eclipsing the .300 mark. With the Boston front office thinking that Boggs could've surpassed his peak, they low-balled him an offer. The Yankees swooped in and gave him a better deal, so he signed with them and eventually helped them win the '96 World Series championship, further emphasizing the Curse of the Bambino. How many Sox fans do you think threw darts at that picture of Boggs on the horse following the Yanks' victory in 1996?

Old Team: Tottenham
New Team: Arsenal
Year: 2001

Never say never. Once upon a time, Sol Campbell was a member of Tottenham and during an interview with Spurs Monthly, Sol said he would never join hated Arsenal. But, in 2001, Campbell, or as Tottenham fans know him, "Judas" went to play for the Gunners. Upon his return, four Spurs fans were banned from games in England and Wales for three years after starting up a chant that contained indecent language.

Old Team: San Francisco 49ers
New Team: Oakland Raiders
Year: 2001

Even after all the memories and accomplishments as a member of the 49ers, Jerry Rice was essentially moved when a young Terrell Owens showed up on the scene. Rice, who felt as though he still had a couple years in the tank, joined the rival the Oakland Raiders and formed one of the oldest receiving duos with Tim Brown. The two posed a problem statistically, and made it to the Super Bowl during his second year in black and silver. 

Old Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
New Team: Detroit Red Wings
Year: 2008

In 2009, even though the Oilers offered an astounding $9 million per year, Hossa opted to go with the Red Wings a year after his team, the Penguins, lost to them in the Stanley Cup Finals. He only played in 12 games with Pittsburgh, so it's not like he made an unbreakable bond with fans, but still. We know it didn't sit well with them when Hossa tried to chase a Cup with the Wings.

Old Team: New England Patriots
New Team: New York Jets
Year: 1998

If there's one guy on this list that you cannot hate for going to the enemy (and yes, we know it's difficult), it would be Curtis Martin. After all, Martin simply wanted to follow his fellow traitor, er, former coach Bill Parcells. As a member of Gang Green, Curtis saw himself get better with age (the original "Vino") and at the age of 31, he became the oldest back to ever win a rushing title. Of course, the statistical accomplishments are nice, but sadly, there was no ring to add to his name.

Old Team: Philadelphia Eagles
New Team: Dallas Cowboys
Year: 2006

After an unhealthy relationship with Donovan McNabb, Terrell Owens went from the Eagles to the Cowboys. While with the 'Boys, Owens saw a spike in stats, especially in touchdowns, but he was never able to come close to shedding tears over a Conference c\Championship like he did with Philly. But no worries, T.O. got to put on the water works eventually through his infamous "that's my quarterback" moment.

Old Team: Boston Red Sox
New Team: New York Yankees
Year: 2005

From his personality to his caveman look, Johnny Damon was the embodiment of Red Sox baseball. So, you can only imagine the shock waves that went through Beantown when Damon opted to join the Yankees. The love from the BoSox faithful immediately turned to hate. But rest assured, Boston got the best all-around years of Damon's career (although, he did help the Yanks win the Series in '09). Take that, Evil Empire?