University of Texas defensive end Colin Simmons drew widespread attention for an inappropriate celebration after sacking Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon. Immediately afterward, he mimed unzipping his pants and urinating on the field.

Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk faced widespread criticism after continuing to compete in a HYROX race in Beijing on September 12, 2026, after experiencing sudden bowel incontinence during the event. Wietrzyk, an elite competitor and women's HYROX world-record holder, continued through multiple running and exercise stations while visibly soiled. Because HYROX competitors use shared workout areas and equipment, the incident raised concerns about hygiene, possible biological contamination, athlete welfare, and the responsibility of race officials to intervene. Wietrzyk finished first in the women's Pro division.

Dr. Zachary Francisco, Southern Utah Animal Hospital

Dr. Zachary Francisco of Southern Utah Animal Hospital in Cedar City, Utah, faced criticism in September 2026 after Cody and Amy Zylks said their healthy nine-and-a-half-year-old Yorkie, Lilly, was mistakenly euthanized during a veterinary visit in which she was supposed to receive an allergy injection. The Zylks were already grieving the death of their 16-year-old dog Remy and brought Remy’s remains to the same hospital for cremation. Cody Zylks said he confirmed Lilly’s allergy-shot appointment with the front desk before taking her into an examination room.

On September 9, 2026, 16 former University of Michigan men's hockey players filed a federal lawsuit against the university and its Board of Regents alleging that players were subjected to ritualized, sexualized hazing while participating in the program between 1984 and 2001. The plaintiffs, identified as John Does, allege that older teammates carried out abusive initiation practices that included forced nudity and genital shaving, sexual assault with objects, burning pubic hair with a blowtorch, forced alcohol consumption, eating live fish, and other acts of physical and sexual humiliation.

Entertainment journalist Jeff Sneider faced criticism in September 2026 after publicly posting about his unsuccessful efforts to communicate with representatives for actress Inde Navarrette. On September 3, Sneider wrote on X that he expected to cover Navarrette for a long time and suggested that her team could regard him as a useful friend or risk having him share what he heard about her.

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and the franchise faced a major NBA disciplinary action in September 2026 after an independent investigation concluded that the team violated the league’s salary-cap circumvention rules in connection with off-court income opportunities for star forward Kawhi Leonard.