Then again ... there have been the parasites ... Luque, Kluivert, Emre, Babayaro ... and of course - Michael Owen.
Let's hope Owen was sat in front of his TV last night to watch a player go through every emotion ... to PLAY for Newcastle United.
Chris Hughton paid tribute to striker Peter Lovenkrands after he snatched a vital point against West Brom just days after the death of his father.
The 29-year-old flew back to Tyneside from Denmark after spending time with his family in the days after his father Bent lost his battle against a lengthy illness to play for the Toon.
Lovenkrands made his mark on the game with a 54th-minute equaliser .
Chris Hughton: "His father was very proud of him and I think he felt his father would have liked him to play.
"It shows great qualities from him as an individual. It was a very difficult time.
"His father wasn't a particularly old man and it was a very difficult time for him."
Lovenkrands will now be given further compassionate leave and will return to Scandinavia for the funeral.