Athletes addicted to more than sports
Campus Times
April 11, 1997
Every time people turn around, they see a professional athlete on television
being accused, convicted, or sentenced for drugs or alcohol abuse. Whether
it be a professional football, basketball, or baseball player, drugs and
alcohol sometimes play a big part in their lives. Drugs and alcohol are
the main two catalysts stopping them from playing and bringing those athletes
down to a lower level.
The question is why are so many talented, rich, intelligent athletes
doing this to themselves? On the outside, they have so much going for them,
but on the inside it must be a whole different world. The individual must
be going through much more than we think, with having the pressures of being
a professional athlete and all.
The NCAA, is trying to help the drug and alcohol problems before the
athletes hit the big leagues.
Since 1991, 250 representatives from the NCAA have gone through a three
day trial program at the Betty Ford Clinic in Rancho Mirage, Calif., to
prevent possible drug or alcohol tendencies. They are trying to stop the
possible problems before they occur and before the athlete becomes big time.
At least some colleges are trying to do something to help. There are
too many athletes that are missing out on their careers because of drugs.
If someone is that good of an athlete to be where the professionals are,
they should stay away from the addiction of drugs, it is not worth it.
Sometimes the drug and alcohol addiction can hit close to home. Three
weeks ago Daryl Henley, former Damien High school standout and Los Angeles
Ram, was sentenced to more than 41 years in prison. He was caught organizing
a nationwide cocaine network and then was convicted for plotting to kill
the judge who presided over the case.
It is cases like this one that are so hard to understand. There are
so many unfortunate people that do not get the chance to even come close
to playing a sport that they love, especially women, and to sit back and
watch certain athletes ruin their opportunities and take advantage of the
entire situation blows my mind.
Why would a talented athlete like Henley need a "drug business?"
Was he not making enough money as an NFL football player as it was? Or was
it the greed of money, or the addiction of drugs?
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Leon Lett was suspended for one year
for failing a drug test. The test was the second Lett had failed. The first
time he was suspended for four games. He apparently tested positive for
cocaine both times.
Did he not get a clue the first time around? The league gives the players
so many chances, yet they keep on letting their team and themselves down.
Once Lett returns to the league, he must meet certain clinical requirements
as determined by the team medical director. Like they always say, "the
third time's a charm."
Lett established himself as one of the top run-stoppers in the NFL.
Why would he work so hard to get where he is and then throw it all away
because of a drug problem and probably a couple nights of being high? Can't
he wait until after the season to satisfy his drug habit so he can at least
play football?
But it is sad to say that this problem occurs everywhere. Drug and alcohol
habits are hard to overcome. The question is, why do they start in the first
place? Is it the pressure of the league? Do they thrive to be the best,
and they feel that drugs will give them the boost that they may need every
day to play on the field? If they have a problem, they should get help.
I believe the league is willing to help their athletes in some way or another.
Another Cowboy who fell off his horse is all-pro wide receiver Michael
Irvin. He was involved in a huge drug trial and was also suspended. Plus
I need not to mention all the other wrongful accusations and activities
he has been involved with.
Something must be rotten in Dallas because three more players were in
some trouble with drugs in the last two years.
Defensive lineman Shante Carver broke the league substance abuse by-laws,
and missed six games. Also, former defensive back Clayton Holmes and wide
receiver Cory Fleming were suspended for drug violations all from the Cowboys.
And the drug problems are not only with football players, but basketball
and baseball players as well. Professional golfers have even been in the
news lately for the alcohol addiction.
Most athlete drug stories are the same. They were drug-free until the
professional league and then it goes downhill from there.
Somewhere there is a pattern, and society needs to find out why this
is happening. I feel sort of sorry for these individuals. Nobody wants to
be addicted to drugs. No matter what they say, it affects their jobs and
lives when they are addicted.
Laura Czingula, a junior journalism major, is sports editor of the
Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at czingula@ulvacs.ulaverne.edu.