Remember youth sports, where everyone was a winner and everyone got trophies? Take those memories, cherish them and then realize there are countless examples of why that isn't true at all. Just take a look at some of professional sports' perennial losers. Here are the 5 worst franchises in sports right now:
5. Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are on this list more for their on-field product than anything dysfunctional within the organization. Since losing the 2005 World Series (yes, Houston was actually in the World Series in this millennium) the Astros have just two winning seasons to their name. Last year's 92 losses actually improved Houston's record after posting three consecutive 100-loss seasons, including a whopping 111 L's in 2013. Here's hoping George Springer and a crop of young players can turn this franchise around.
4. New York Jets
The state of the New York Jets can be summed up with the phrase "Buttfumble", but we'll expand a little bit more. The Jets actually haven't been that terrible on the field, posting 8-8 records two of the last four years and appearing in back to back AFC Championships in 2009-10. The shenanigans around the franchise are laughable however, from the Rex Ryan "footgate" to the underwhelming performances of high draft picks who were heralded as "franchise players" (Mark Sanchez, Stephen Hill and Geno Smith all fit this list). On the field, the Jets may be one of the more successful "bad" franchises in sports, but they give the rest of the league a good laugh in the process.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
One thing that sets the Timberwolves apart from other teams on this list is their ability to draft impact players fairly consistently. The problem is turning those players into a championship team (the franchise has never won an NBA title), and convincing them to stay in Minnesota long-term. The team has been terrible since Kevin Garnett left, posting exactly zero winning seasons in that time frame. Talented players like Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio haven't helped the team come anywhere close to a playoff appearance. Minnesota is far down the list of attractive NBA destinations, meaning the T'wolves are stuck in a perpetual cycle of seeing their top players bolt for free agency within a few years of being drafted. For old time's sake the franchise brought Garnett back this season, so that was cool.
2. Oakland Raiders
"Just win, baby" and "commitment to excellence" are two phrases that are not representative of the Oakland Raiders right now. Oakland is going on 12 consecutive non-winning seasons since their 2002 Super Bowl loss. With nine head coaches in the last 12 seasons, the Raiders have been remarkably bad at finding their next Jon Gruden. They've been even worse at finding their next Rich Gannon, as the Raiders have cycled through some horrific names at quarterback: JaMarcuss Russell, Jason Campbell, Andrew Walter, Terrelle Pryor, Matt Schaub - you get the point. They also play in one of the worst stadiums in America (sewage flooding is not character, it's just gross). At least the fans are some of the most passionate people in the NFL.
1. Cleveland Browns
When the owner of a franchise has to publicly state that the organization is not dysfunctional, that's a good indication that it is. First, on the field: Cleveland has had just three winning seasons since 1994. By comparison, the New England Patriots have as many Super Bowl losses in that time. The organization's most recent "franchise players" are currently washed up in Oakland (Trent Richardson), backing up Tony Romo in Dallas (Brandon Weeden) and in rehab (Johnny Manziel). That doesn't include Josh Gordon, who will serve at least a one year suspension for drug violations. They also have an owner whose company is under investigation for fraud, while the team is the subject of a league probe over illegal game-day texting. Congratulations Browns, you are the weakest link of North American sports franchises, but they don't give out trophies for that.
Back to the NFL Newsfeed