It seems the more we hold our sports heroes in high regard, the more likely they are to fall from grace. Whether they end up cheating in the game, such as in the case of cyclist Lance Armstrong, or on their spouse like Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant, or even facing criminal charges like Michael Vick or O.J. Simpson, it seems the higher up the pedestal we place them, the more likely they are to fall.

The Bleacher Report gives us a countdown of the top 20 tainted sports heroes of all time. Either some have been forgotten over the years, or it is a growing phenomenon.

But just whose fault is it? Do we expect too much of our athletes — holding them to a higher standard in life because of their athletic talents? Or is it entirely their own fault — their inflated egos leading them to believe they're above reproach?