Football is the most popular sport in the United States and just about everyone loves to watch it. Even in college, football players receive celebrity status at the big schools. Some football players however, find themselves as the principal source of controversy. The following players had great college careers, and some had impressive professional careers. However, these college football players have all been involved in scandals that became bigger than the football game.

1. Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush and the University of Southern California Trojans dominated the NCAA football season in 2005. Bush had an amazing year as a junior: over 1,700 yards rushing, and 16 rushing touchdowns combined with almost 500 reception yards and two reception touchdowns. The amazing year for Bush culminated in winning the Heisman Trophy for best college football player in the NCAA. The controversy started when an investigation into Bush's career at USC found that he accepted cash and a house for his parents in the San Diego area. Before NIL, accepting money in exchange for playing was highly illegal under the NCAA. The investigation found that Bush and the USC Trojans were guilty of providing cash to Bush. The sanctions from the NCAA were harsh: they mandated that Bush must disassociate from USC, included a two-year postseason ban for the school, 14 vacated victories (including the 2004 BCS national championship), and the loss of 30 scholarships. Additionally, the Heisman was stripped from Bush and the USC Trojans. To this day, A walk around the coliseum in Los Angeles will show all of the Trojan greats. Mike Garrett, O.J. Simpson, Charles White, Marcus Allen, Carson Palmer, and Matt Leinart's numbers are displayed around the stadium. However, there is no Reggie Bush memorabilia commemorating his 2005 Heisman campaign. The sanctions had a lasting effect on the USC Trojans; they have not won the Heisman Trophy since Reggie Bush until QB Caleb Williams won in 2022. 

2. Johnny Manziel

The Texas A&M University QB was known for his playmaking and field vision on the field during his three-year career. Manziel dominated the highly competitive Southeastern Conference as a redshirt freshman. In 2012, He became the first freshman and only the fifth player in NCAA history to pass for 3000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season. His playmaking skills and his domination as a freshman led him to winning the Heisman Trophy as a freshman. Off the field, there were signs that the success on the field was affecting his behavior. The controversies started as Manziel began to party and act abrasive at events. Further controversy struck after his freshman year. It was alleged by some memorabilia dealers that Manziel was caught accepting cash for signing his autograph. This was a direct violation of the NCAA bylaws that state no player should accept cash for autographs. Johnny Manziel's partying and perceived laissez-faire attitude about football made him one of the most controversial players despite his success at Texas A&M. 

3. Brian Bosworth

Brian Bosworth was a two-time All-American linebacker at the University of Oklahoma, winning the Dick Butkus Award twice. Bosworth was a phenomenal player for the Sooners; however, his career is overshadowed by off-the-field antics. His dyed hair and criticism of the NCAA made lots of enemies for the eccentric football player. After failing a drug test before the 1987 Orange Bowl, the player wore a shirt under his jersey criticizing the NCAA. The shirt showed the acronym NCAA: National Communists Against Athletes. Citing that the NCAA overworked athletes and capitalized off their athletic abilities while the athletes cannot. This stunt on Bosworth's last game resulted in him being kicked off the Oklahoma football team, and Bosworth declared for the draft shortly after. 

4. Cam Newton

Cam Newton was one of the premier college quarterbacks heading to the 2011 NFL draft. His time at Auburn University, however, included controversy about how he was recruited to the school. A representative for Newton attempted to solicit payment from Mississippi State in return for his commitment to the Mississippi Bulldogs. Newton had reportedly received offers from other schools for $200,000 but would have been willing to come to Mississippi State for a cheaper because that's where he preferred to play. Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen reportedly balked at the suggestion and Newton ended up at Auburn. In a 13-month probe by the NCAA, they found that there were no major violations by Auburn or Cam Newton, and neither had sanctions levied against them. Still, the investigation reignited the argument about college football players' ability to make money for their skills.

5. 2008 Florida Gators

 Yes, you read that correctly, our final controversial football player is actually an entire team. This team had 41 players on their roster arrested at some point in their lives. 41 players…or 31% of the entire 2008 University of Florida football roster. This specific year, the Florida Gators were glistening with future NFL talent. Tim Tebow, Aaron Hernandez, Cam Newton, Percy Harvin, and Marcus Gilbert were all a part of this 2008 roster. This team was highly successful on the field, but unfortunately for them, they were not as successful with the police.

Image Credit: Birmingham News/Texas A&M Athletics/OU Athletics/AL Diaz/USC Athletics