Having played for 4 teams in 8 years in the NFL as a tight end, I saw my share of incidents involving too much liquor, pain killers, weed, and speed. And under our gaze were the real killers, heroin and cocaine, then came crack cocaine in the 80s and that was a killer. After my career in football, I decided to teach our youth to understand what drugs really are, their harmful effects and what addiction is all about. I did not go along with the “JUST SAY NO” theory of teaching. That was to preachy and demanding. I found that most kids and adults don’t like the word “NO!” I’ve given many drug awareness lectures based on my understanding of biochemistry and the toxins. Drugs are toxins or poisons, and it is the amount taken that determines the amount of harm to the body and mind. Some drugs may make you excited or drowsey, more of a drug can put you to sleep. The same drug taken in heavy doses may cause serious damage to the body or kill you. Addictive prescription medications are a leading cause of overdose deaths because they are poisons. The drug culture’s cartels and dealers have flourished and prospered while naive victims are filling hospitals, prisons and morgues.
Subscriber-Only Content
Register / Login To Unlock This Content & Much More:
Over 800 former & current Steelers player & coach interviews w/ more each week – from Joe Greene, Tony Dungy, LC Greenwood, Donnie Shell, Alan Faneca, Hines Ward, and Dick LeBeau to current players like Devlin Hodges, Steven Nelson, Benny Snell, Rosie Nix, Diontae Johnson, Mike Hilton ….
Plus:
Subscriber-Only Player Chats
Articles by Former Steelers on Their NFL and Post-NFL Issues and Experiences and Interviews with Rival Teams' Players and Coaches
LOG IN REGISTER