America loves its sports stories -- the heroes, the drama and, yes, its jerks.

A star's gallantry can't be measured without a victory over the efforts of his adversary.

That's not to say the bad boys (and girls) don't gain a sort of notoriety themselves.

Some athletes have even made a career out of being the malcontent, the outspoken critic and truth-challenged charlatan.

One of the enjoyable aspects of being a sports fan is debating the legendary feuds, reliving epic moments of colossal capriciousness and laughing out loud at the ill manners of some of our biggest heroes.

Gathered here are some of the worst of the worst, the baddest of the bad and those star athletes that personify what it is to be a jerk in America's beloved pastimes.

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