5. Jayson Williams

The famous Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets player prematurely retired on June 28th, 2000, due to a severe injury, but it was his recklessness while handling a weapon that caused a 55-year-old Costas “Gus” Christofi to also prematurely retire.

Jayson shot and killed Christofi, a limousine driver hired for the day, at his home in Alexandria Township, New Jersey.

Williams claimed that he was showing a group of people the shotgun during a tour of his home, and the shotgun accidentally discharged, hitting and killing Christofi instantly.

Williams was found not guilty of aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault, while the jury deadlocked on the charge of reckless manslaughter. In 2010, Williams pled guilty to aggravated assault and was finally sentenced to 5 years in prison.