During the Simpson trial, when the defendant was black and the victims were white, polls showed that most whites thought the former football star was guilty, while African-Americans urged us to wait for the evidence to come in.

CNN: Nation divided over Trayvon Martin case?

The rising star of the British track was found guilty in 2004 of taking drugs and given a two-year general suspension from racing by UK Athletics as well as a lifetime ban from all future Olympic events as a British athlete.

CNN: Disgraced Chambers has Bolt in his sights

The NFL star quarterback for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons will plead guilty for running a dogfighting operation.

NPR: Vick Joins Ranks of Those Sued by Prison Inmate

This week, Ray Lewis, an all-star American football player, had a murder charge dropped after he pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice.

ECONOMIST: John Rocker, under fire

Others like ex-New York Giants star Lawrence Taylor, a Chapel Hill stand-out who last year pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct, have not gained entry to the club despite appearing on the ballot.

CNN: July 28, 2012 -- Updated 1425 GMT (2225 HKT)