Just Say NO

Len Bias

What does Len Bias, Eugene and “Big Daddy” Lipscomb have in common or “Bam” Morris and Tim Montgomery? Before we answer that question we should take a step back and take a look at the four gentlemen; Len Bias was the number two pick over all by the Boston Celtics in 1986, Eugene Lipscomb was a Pro Bowl defensive end from 1953-62. Bam Morris was the starting running back for a number NFL teams and completing the pair is Tim Montgomery who was won a gold medal in the 2000 Sydney games. Bias and Lipscomb ended up just like former pro wrestler Bam Bam Bigelow and Oklahoma tight end Austin Box. Bias died of a cocaine overdose the day after he was drafted, Lipscomb died of a supposed heroin overdose (Steelers owner Dan Rooney refutes this since according to him Lipscomb was afraid of needles), Austin Box overdosed this past year. Bam Morris and Tim Montgomery spent part of their life just like Travis Henry, in jail. Morris was sentenced to 30 months for drug trafficking, Montgomery was sentenced to 46 months for heroin trafficking and Henry 36 for drug trafficking.

Just like society pro athletes are usually doing the same drugs, acid in the late 60s and 70s, coke in the late 70s and 80s. The Len Bias was not the only one with drug problems from the 1986 NBA draft Chris Washburn was the 3rd pick over all by the Golden State Warriors was banned by the league by 1989 for failing three drug tests, Roy Tarpley went number seven to Dallas and got the boot from the league for violating drug policies in 1990, and William Bradford went six to the Suns and was busted a couple of times for drug possession (idiots).

Darryl Strawberry

What I don’t get is why someone would throw everything away on drugs. You are at the top of the world you play a game for a job and you are living the dream that millions have dreamt. If was a pro football player you get to watch film on a 3-4 defense and break down the tendencies a wide receiver has when they run a crossing route. If you are a basketball player you can work on your jump shot all day, who wouldn’t want to do that.

I just don’t get what would make you even think about touching, coke, heroine, X, or meth, when you can work on you slap shot or fielding grounders, you get to be a child all day and it is OK!! You are a looser if you throw it all away. I really don’t see the positive side of being involved with drugs as an athlete. You also have to think of the fans, I was crushed when I found out that Darryl Strawberry was busted for coke and I would never want a kid to think of me like that…Say it ain’t so Joe.