Better Than Revenge: Athletes Who Proved the World Wrong
The world called them overrated. They said, “Watch this.”
AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
Some athletes ignore the hate, others take it personally. And by personally, we mean turning the noise into fuel. From “washed” to world champion, overlooked to undeniable, these athletes showed us how to turn disrespect into dominance. In the wise words of Queen B, “Best revenge is your paper” – or, in this case, medals, rings, stats, and buckets.
Tyrese Haliburton: Indiana Pacers
Just a few weeks ago, Tyrese Haliburton from the Indiana Pacers was voted “most overrated” player in the NBA by his peers, and now he’s being referred to as the most clutch player in the playoffs. When the haters doubt your abilities, nothing proves them wrong quite like bringing your team up from a 14-point deficit in the last 3 minutes and scoring an effortless buzzer-beater to tie the game up. After that, he hit the Knicks with the iconic choke gesture, but perhaps this was also for the haters watching at home. Part taunt, part statement. Message 100% clear.
Allyson Felix: Olympic Track
Ashley Landis / AP
You may know her as the most decorated track and field athlete of all time, but before she even had this title, she was dropped by Nike and considered past her prime once she became pregnant. Assuming her performance would decline post-partum, Nike insisted on reducing Alyson’s pay by 70%. Knowing her worth, Alyson walked away from one of the biggest sponsorships in sports and headed back to the track. When the world called her washed-up, Alsyon showed us she was a winner, taking home two more medals in Tokyo and officially becoming the most successful track and field athlete of all time– a title she still holds today.
Her legacy extends beyond just medals, with free childcare and designated spaces for athlete mothers and their children at all Olympic Games since Tokyo, where she first advocated for these changes. She also recently created a company aimed at mentoring and securing brand deals for female athletes. She didn’t just teach the haters that they were wrong– she taught them how to be better.
Mikko Rantanen: Dallas Stars
Mikko Rantanen was traded not once but twice this season. After 10 seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, he was dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes for about a month before being passed to Dallas. This franchise player was treated like trade bait, but he made sure his former teams regretted their decision. In Game 7 between the Avalanche and the Stars, Rantanen’s third-period hat trick brought the Stars from down 0-2 to victory, eliminating the very team that traded him from the playoffs. He now leads the league in playoff points and could very much win MVP if he keeps it up. While his previous teams thought he was expendable, he’s proving himself as irreplaceable. If the Stars and the Hurricanes make it through to the next round, we could see him face off against both teams that traded him this season—and complete the most poetic revenge tour the NHL’s seen in years.
Simone Biles: Olympic Gymnastics
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This summer, Simone showed us how you can’t revoke the G.O.A.T. title from her, no matter how hard you try. After pulling out of the Tokyo Olympics for mental health reasons, critics questioned everything from her toughness to her legacy. As the world called her a quitter who let her country down, Simone was quietly working on her mind and her skills. In her first World Championships since the Tokyo incident, Simone officially became the most decorated gymnast of all time. She then went on to win the all-around in Paris, reminding the world how part of being the G.O.A.T. is knowing when to take a break. She didn’t owe anyone a comeback but gave us an epic one anyway.
Tom Brady: New England Patriots
NFL via Sports Illustrated
NFL teams passed over 7-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady 198 times before he just barely squeaked into being drafted by the New England Patriots. Mocked for being too slow, skinny, and unathletic (and can we blame them? I mean, look at his NFL Combine), every team doubted he could bring anything to the table. Sometimes, all you need is to believe in yourself, even if the whole world disagrees. Right after signing with the Patriots, Brady told them, “I’m the best decision this organization has ever made.” And he was right. Two decades, seven rings, and one dynasty later—every other team wished they’d believed in him too.
P.S. If you haven’t seen the NFL Combine… we suggest you take a look for a good laugh: Tom Brady 2000 NFL Scouting Combine highlights
Sha’Carrie Richardson: Olympic Track
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Sha’carrie wasn’t just doubted– she was absolutely dragged after her positive marijuana test resulted in her being dropped from Team USA’s Olympic roster in Tokyo. Headlines claimed her window of dominance was over, questioning her discipline and future in the sport. Her first few performances after suspension were confirmation for her haters, but they were fuel for Sha’Carrie.
While the world mocked her for her confidence in returning to peak form, she kept her head down and trained for what she knew was possible. The public tried to turn her into a cautionary tale, but Sha’Carrie wrote a redemption arc instead. She won the 100-meter dash at the 2023 World Championships and then brought home two more medals from the Paris Olympics. In the wise words of Sha’carrie herself, “I’m not back. I’m better.”