While these top athletes may be known for their speed, strength and coordination, honesty is certainly not one of their finest qualities as they have all faced serious run-ins with the IRS. Despite the millions that these stars bring in each year, they could not outrun the IRS and were caught red-handed with some of the largest tax evasion bills.
- Mel Blount: Former star for the Pittsburgh Steelers is now forced to play defense against the much dreaded IRS. The IRS is claiming that this Hall of Famer owes more than half a million dollars. His outstanding bill of $631,000 has been a long time coming and allegedly is the result of unpaid income taxes between 1994 and 2006.
- Thomas “Hitman” Hearns: Famous Detroit boxer was forced to auction off some of his most prized possessions this year after being unable to dodge IRS tax liens reportedly amounting to nearly $1 million.
- Ron Darling: In 2009, this former Mets pitcher was hit with both state and federal tax liens amount an astounding $544,197.
- John Daly: Despite earning an estimated $9 million throughout his career, this controversial professional golfer now owes the IRS over $1 million in back taxes for 2007 and 2008.
- Pete Rose: This baseball all-star will no longer be known strictly for his hitting record but was hit hard with a $1 million federal tax lien in 2004 after he failed to file two tax returns. The pro-baseball player turned Cincinnati Reds manager was sentenced to five months in a state correctional facility along with a $50,000 fine and over 1,000 hours of community service.
- Darryl Strawberry: Eight All-Star memberships and two World Series could not keep this baseball star from the IRS. Strawberry first became under attack in 1994 when he was faced with a $350,000 bill for back taxes.
- O.J Simpson: While tax problems turned out to be the least of this ex-football stars troubles, he too gained the title of a prolific tax dodger by the California Tax Board. Simpson was accused of owing almost $1.5 million in unpaid taxes to the IRS though this charge was quickly overshadowed by more serious charges.
- Helio Castroneves: Brazilian race car driver was acquitted on six counts of tax evasion in 2009 after being accused of avoiding $2.3 million in U.S. income taxes.