There are many consequences to fame. There are also many consequences to unprotected sexual contact. Many professional athletes have found themselves in hot water for both. Here’s a list of athletes who have found themselves publicly accused of spreading STDs and even ending up in court over the allegations:
Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman, a former NBA Champion known for his flamboyant personality and impressive basketball skills, has a reputation for having slept with over 2,000 women. After his NBA career ended, the former champion faced a lawsuit from Lisa Beth Judd, a former Atlanta Hawks cheerleader, who accused him of giving her genital herpes and other unspecified sexually transmitted diseases. The allegations stemmed from a tumultuous on-and-off relationship between the two. Judd claimed that Rodman had engaged in unprotected sex with her, knowing he carried the herpes virus, which led to her contracting the disease. The case was brought before a federal jury, where Lisa Beth Judd testified about her ordeal, and a videotaped deposition shown in court further detailed the allegations. Despite the serious nature of the claims, Dennis Rodman denied any wrongdoing, and the suit was eventually settled out of court.
Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Wade was accused by his estranged wife in 2007 of giving her an unspecified STD, which she claimed he contracted from an extramarital affair. The Miami Heat guard and NBA star faced these serious allegations during their divorce proceedings. His ex-wife accused him of knowingly spreading the infection to her, a claim that added fuel to their already highly publicized separation. However, the accusation was eventually withdrawn from the divorce filings, suggesting that the claims may have lacked substantial evidence or were part of the contentious legal strategy during their split. Wade, determined to protect his reputation and career, countersued his ex-spouse for defamation, asserting that the accusations were false and damaging to his public image.
Michael Vick
In 2005, Michael Vick was sued by a former lover for negligence and battery, with the Georgia woman claiming she contracted genital herpes from an unprotected sexual encounter with the famous NFL player. This wasn’t the only time Vick faced such allegations. Several years later, another ex-lover of Vick made plans to publish a tell-all book about her experiences, including contracting herpes from the quarterback. The cases garnered significant media attention, putting Vick’s personal life under the microscope. Ultimately, Vick settled with the accuser, which allowed him to move past the legal battles. The resolution of these cases helped Vick maintain his professional standing, although the incidents remain a notable chapter in his personal history.
Kris Humphries
The former husband of Kim Kardashian and NBA star, Kris Humphries, was accused of knowingly spreading herpes to a woman with whom he had a one-night stand encounter. While his marriage to Kardashian ended for other reasons, the sports star was forced into court over the allegations. He eventually supplied a medical document proving he was negative for the infection.
Edwin Encarnación
Edwin Encarnación, a notable MLB player known for his powerful hitting, found himself in the headlines for reasons beyond his baseball prowess. In 2016, Encarnación was embroiled in a lawsuit where a woman accused him of giving her multiple sexually transmitted diseases after an alleged unprotected sexual encounter. The case drew significant media attention, with Encarnación denying the allegations and stating that the claims were false and damaging to his reputation. Despite the controversy, the lawsuit was eventually settled, allowing Encarnación to focus on his career and maintain his standing in the baseball community
Isaac Haas
Isaac Haas, a former standout basketball player for Purdue University, found himself in controversy when allegations surfaced regarding the transmission of an STD. In 2018, a lawsuit was filed against Haas by a woman who claimed that he had knowingly infected her with herpes. Despite the allegations, Haas denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that he was unaware of having any sexually transmitted disease. Ultimately, the lawsuit was settled, allowing Haas to focus on his professional career aspirations beyond college basketball.
Elijah Pritchett
In 2023, Elijah Pritchett, an Alabama football player, found his name in the headlines for reasons beyond his on-field accolades. In a surprising turn of events, Pritchett faced allegations from a former partner who claimed that he had transmitted a sexually transmitted disease to her during their relationship. The accusations brought significant media attention, with Pritchett maintaining his innocence and denying any knowledge of having an STD. Despite the controversy, the case was eventually resolved, allowing Pritchett to refocus on his football career and personal life.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the practice of safe sex using latex condoms in order to prevent the spread of STDs. Additionally, the CDC recommends that all sexually active people should test for STDs at least once in their lifetime.
Getting an STD can be a scary diagnosis. Luckily, there are many treatments that can make infections manageable or even curable. If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to STDs, you should seek STD testing services right away. This is the only way to get proper treatment.