Have you ever wondered who made it to the list of the most hated skaters in the history of skateboarding? Rollercoasting on the ramps of love and hate, skateboarding has seen some intriguing characters. Some flicked boards like no other, while others chased the haters away just as profoundly. In this post, you’ll ride the grind rail of these notorious skaters’ stories, their downhill careers, and the chaotically rad reasons that earned them a spot on this infamous list. Let’s get ramping!
Why do skaters earn the ‘hater’s skate award’?
Contrary to the backflip belief, tremendous talent doesn’t cement a skater’s popularity, especially if it’s wrapped up in a controversial character or unappealing antics. Some skaters tumble into hatred due to their ‘too loud’ lifestyles, switching boards for bling, or just too swift and unjustified climb to success.
There is a thin line between respect and resentment. Unfortunately, some skaters’ kick push isn’t always on the right side.
Enjoi Whitey Panda Complete Skateboard
Enjoi Whitey Panda Complete Skateboard
Has hate ever transformed into a severe controversy?
Well, yeah! Heads up on Mark ‘Gator’ Rogowski, a once successful skateboarder who, grappling with bankruptcy and the fading glory of vert skating, spiraled down to commit heinous crimes. It was a story that escalated quickly and ended on a dark note. If curious, you can find more information about Gator’s downfall here.
Who are the top 5 most hated skaters in the history of skateboarding?
In the realm where the board meets the sidewalk, fame can sometimes flicker, not always to the rider’s liking. Ducking under remorse and somersaulting over resentment, we’ve scraped together a list of the most detested characters to shred the concrete.
This isn’t just a quicksilver listicle, though; it digs deep into the hate-jacked past of each skater, narrating the tricks and trips that made them a star in the backlash gallery.
1. Jeremy Rogers
Once a promising skateboarder, now dubbed the ‘King of Catastrophe,’ Jeremy Rogers takes the top slot on our hate register. His speedy transition from a kickflipping champ to a wannabe rapper was too ugly to stomach. The reckless display of wealth and preference for bling over the board didn’t add to his charm either.
Jeremy had a killer start, snatching the ‘Rookie of the Year’ title from Transworld in 2005. Yet he flipped his career trajectory, throwing him into an abyss of sneers and mockery. Skateboarding took a backseat as the drastic persona change kicked in, adorned with tattoos, iced chains, and below-par rhyme schemes.
The disdain was further fueled when he prematurely announced retirement despite amassing followers through his undeniable street-shredding skills.
2. Nyjah Huston
Earning himself the silver spoon in our hate rally is Nyjah Huston, a skate-whiz kid who is often seen as a jock in skater clothing. His swift climb to fame and fortune fired envy and resentment among some skaters and fans, while his seemingly flashy and extravagant lifestyle didn’t do him any favors.
Despite being a colossal talent, Nyjah’s cocky demeanor and robotic skating style stirred a wave of dislike. However, his detractors’ views tend to overlook his significant contributions to the sport, including some outstanding skate parts and momentous competition wins. Love or hate him, his skill set is a textbook for budding skaters, but his public image needs a bit of polishing.
3. Ryan Sheckler
The bronze of our notorious podium hosts Ryan Sheckler, who earned his rep through a mesh of false claims, TV serial stardom, and unwarranted sponsorships. His rise as a child prodigy quickly spiraled into a gyre of resentment, largely galvanized by his image as a young, rich, good-looking skater heavily draped in sponsor logos.
Ryan’s career is like a well-scripted drama series with adolescent blunders, public displays of riches, and flashy endorsements. One of Ryan’s controversies that pinned him as a hate magnet was claiming an untrue trick down to ‘El Toro.’ The trick never landed, and the skateboarding community rolled its eyes when the truth skated out.
4. Rob Dyrdek
Picture this: A skater evolves into a reality TV star with multiple shows like Rob & Big, Ridiculousness, and Fantasy Factory. Sounds like a killer ride, right? Not quite for Rob Dyrdek, though. Made for Laughs’ TV persona clashed with his skateboarding roots, tickling the palate of controversy.
Dyrdek’s decision to step into the mainstream was considered a cop-out in an age where being’ sold out’ is scorned. Though he might have skated away from core fans, one can’t discredit his contribution to skateboarding, setting 21 separate Guinness World Records for various skate-related feats.
But, in the process, it’s fair to say he ditched the vert for views, causing a significant chunk of skaters to turn their backs on him.
5. Mark ‘Gator’ Rogowski
Mark’ Gator’ Rogowski, a great star of Vert Skateboarding in the 80s, lurks in the shadows of our infamous list. His loathsome descent was precipitated more by personal failings than professional controversy. Gator’s here for his dreadful crimes, overshadowing his previous skateboarding prowess.
After the bankruptcy of his sponsor, Vision, Mark fell from grace and into relative obscurity. His attempt to resurface by embracing the burgeoning street style was futile, and his personal life took a dreaded nosedive. He committed a series of heinous crimes that plunged him into lifelong infamy and jail time, making him one of skateboarding’s most tragic and detestable figures.
6. Steve Berra
Steve Berra has accumulated a lot of resentment over the years, mostly for his controversial online content and divisive opinions about skateboarding. He founded the popular website ‘The Berrics’ with Eric Koston, but some fans criticized the site’s commercial approach.
The Berra-Koston partnership fragmented, and an ugly public spat nearly overshadowed their shared legacy. Disputes aside, ‘The Berrics’ remains a popular platform for skate tutorials and videos, albeit with a hefty side-serving of haters.
7. Pierre André Senizergues
Former professional freestyle skateboarder Pierre André Senizergues found himself in hot water when he switched from athlete to entrepreneur, launching the skate shoe company Etnies. His hardcore detour into business was frowned upon by the purist skate community.
Senizergues, a champion of eco-conscious skateboarding, faced backlash for perceived marketing gimmicks, and his business ventures marked him as a sell-out in the eyes of core skaters who frowned upon his corporate venture.
8. Mike Vallely
Mike Vallely is known for his aggressive style on and off the board, often tarnishing his reputation in the skate community. Few recognize his contributions to street skating due to his brash, aggressive persona and frequent outbursts.
Vallely’s physicality earned him a reputation as a bully, amplified by several virally filmed altercations, notably his part in a massive brawl during a demo tour. Love or hate him, his passionate approach to skateboarding remains quite divisive.
9. Brandon Biebel
Known for his party boy image and flamboyant fashion sense, Brandon Biebel danced on thin ice, testing the patience of many skaters. Even though Biebel boasted solid skate skills, his lack of commitment to the sport and regular absence from sessions bred contempt.
This DUI holder was not a big fan of keeping himself low-key. Biebel often crossed the skateboarding-entertainment line, shifting the focus from his skill to his scandalous lifestyle, which led to his reputation going for a toss.
10. Bob Burnquist
Bob Burnquist, a vert skating legend, closed our notorious list due to his infamous dramas and intense rivalries. Even though Burnquist was undeniably talented, his disputes and arguable favoritism toward certain skaters created an unwelcome vibe.
His controversial episode during the famous X-Games event soured many skaters towards him, and his contrived rivalry with Danny Way did nothing to polish his image. Despite his greatness, the tension he often brewed left a bitter taste in many.
My take on the hated skater phenomenon
Every time I drop into a new park, meet a new group of skaters or enroll in a new skating class, I always keep this in mind: Skateboarding is about unity and camaraderie, not popularity or hate polls. After all, whether you are the most loved or most hated skater, at the end of the day, we all circle back to the same four wheels that bind our love for this insane sport.
“Every time I drop into a new park or meet a new group of skaters, I always keep this in mind: Skateboarding is about unity and camaraderie, not about popularity or hate polls. We all circle back to the same four wheels that bind our love for this insane sport.”
With the stage set, let’s step on the brakes and analyze some statistical data that reflects the fame-flip side of skateboarding. This table lays down the grim curbs that often hiccup skateboarders, stirring negative sentiments and reshaping public opinion.
| Skater | Infamous Incident | Hate Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Rogers | Switched careers for rap | High-flying lifestyle, retirement |
| Nyjah Huston | Youthful arrogance | Cocky demeanor, Excessive Success |
| Ryan Sheckler | Unjustified claims, TV fame | Too many sponsorships, TV drama |
| Rob Dyrdek | Reality TV dramas | Showbiz shenanigans, corporate sell-out |
| Mark Rogowski | Committed heinous crimes | Criminal acts, fading prominence |
If you are a visual learner, check out the video below from YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Have you got a few questions hanging in the air? Let’s dive into this FAQ section, answering the most common queries floating around our most hated skaters.
Why do skaters get hated in the first place?
Often, the hate sparked against skaters does not stem from their skating skills but from their personal or professional conduct off the ramps. Unpalatable acts, public controversies, or even careless declarations can quickly earn them a relatively unfavorable reputation.
Are all hated skaters bad at skateboarding?
Not at all. Most skaters on this ‘hate list’ are incredibly skilled, boasting several accomplishments. Usually, their actions outside the park or the public image they portray garner them an unfavorable reputation.
Does this critique affect their professional careers?
It could, especially if the progressing friction leads to disconnected sponsorships or lost opportunities. However, it’s important to remember that, as opposed to other sports like session skateboarding, where team dynamics come into play, street and park skaters mostly compete individually, allowing them to weather criticism to a certain extent.
Final thoughts
Skateboarding, just like life, exists beyond the satin landings and sick tricks of the best skateboarding videos. So, as we wheel away from this post, take a moment to appreciate the positives of the sport, learn from the errors, and fuse your passion for skateboarding with a character worthy of emulation.
What’s your take on some of these infamous skaters? Let me know in the comments section below. I read and reply to every comment. If you found this article helpful, share it with a fellow skater or someone curious about our four-wheeled pastime. Check out my full blog for more pep talks, tips, and tricks on skateboarding. Until next time, keep shredding, and remember, it’s all about the ride, not the rider!
Key takeaways
In this whirlwind read, we’ve carved through the tales of the most hated skaters in the history of skateboarding. Pulling the curtains on their controversy-tinted careers, here are some key takeaways:
- Fame in skateboarding is not solely attributed to one’s skill on the board
- Personal behavior and off-ramp ventures significantly influence a skater’s public image.
- Even the most talented skaters can spin into this infamous list by making questionable life choices.
- Though detested, these skaters contribute to the sport in a unique, albeit controversial, way.
- The list serves as a reality check for budding skaters, reinforcing the importance of character in success.
