Addiction doesn’t discriminate. Although teens and young adults are often the most susceptible to substance abuse, addiction will grab onto whoever it can, like an octopus wrapping its tentacles around its prey.
At our Christian-based treatment centers, one of our core missions is to eliminate the stigma surrounding substance use disorder (SUD). We advocate for those in need and ensure that the shame often associated with addiction doesn’t prevent anyone from seeking the help they deserve.
Hearing the stories of others who have overcome addiction can offer hope and help pull down negative stigmas. Addiction doesn’t make you bad; it’s a challenge that ensnares many people, including famous athletes. Many driven, focused athletes with incredible talent have struggled with addiction and overcome it through rehab. These individuals can inspire others in similar situations to seek help.
Here are the stories of five famous football players who overcame alcohol or drug addiction.
1. Joe Namath
Joe Namath, the legendary quarterback of the New York Jets, bravely shared his battle with addiction in his autobiography, All The Way: My Life in Four Quarters. After his football career came to a close, he lost purpose in his life. As he floundered, he developed an alcohol use disorder. The tipping point came in 2003 when, during a sideline interview, a drunken Namath slurred, “I want to kiss you.” Though humiliating for Namath, this event drove him to seek treatment.
Namath described how shame became his strength. In treatment, he gave his temptation to drink a name—”Slick.” By acknowledging his weakness rather than trying to hide it, he could face it head-on. Namath stopped drinking, turning his low moment into a victory.
2. Todd Marinovich
Todd Marinovich’s story is a tragic reflection of the pressures on young athletes. Growing up, he felt pushed to be the perfect football crusader. That mounting pressure led him to start abusing substances after being drafted by the Raiders. Multiple failed drug tests exposed Marinovich’s ongoing addiction and ended his NFL career.
In 2016, Marinovich’s struggles reached fever pitch when he wandered naked into a stranger’s backyard with drugs in hand. Marinovich had sought treatment before but had relapsed back into his old habits. This embarrassing incident was a big wake-up call, and he sought treatment once again. Today, Marinovich is focused on art and creates impressionist-style football-themed paintings, drawings, and sculptures. His story brings hope to many.
3. Darren Waller
Darren Waller’s journey to success was far from straightforward. Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2015, he was struggling with a deep addiction that began in high school. Introduced to pain pills early on, Waller spiraled into stealing prescriptions from his parents, coaxing injured friends to give him their medications, and trying to outdrink anyone at parties. His troubles continued at Georgia Tech, where he got caught cheating on a drug test and was forced into an outpatient program—one that ultimately failed.
In the NFL, Waller’s addiction caught up with him. After failing multiple drug tests, he got suspended for the 2016 season. It wasn’t until he unknowingly ingested opioids laced with fentanyl—one of the deadliest drugs in the country—that he hit rock bottom. Seeking help once again, Waller entered an inpatient rehab. It was here that he realized addiction wasn’t just about the substances—it was a symptom of deeper issues.
After almost a year of recovering from his addiction, Waller rejoined the Raiders. In 2019, he founded the Darren Waller Foundation to help adolescents avoid the struggles he faced. Waller believes that service to others and finding a greater purpose is the antidote to addiction.
4. Brett Farve
In 2021, Brett Favre opened up about his battles with addiction on his podcast, Boiling Up with Favre. The NFL legend developed a dependence on prescription painkillers after an ankle injury during a game. What started as occasional use quickly escalated, leading to two drug-induced seizures.
Despite completing a rehab program, Favre relapsed in 1996. His binge drinking led to reckless decisions, including drinking and driving. But in 1998, after a final stint in rehab, Favre got sober—and he has stayed sober ever since.
5. Lawrence Taylor
Known as “L.T.,” Lawrence Taylor was one of the most feared linebackers in NFL history. But beneath the helmet, he fought a long battle with addiction. His substance use started before being drafted in 1981, and his life was full of cocaine, crack, and excessive drinking. He drank so much the day he got drafted that he couldn’t even remember the event. By 1988, his drug use resulted in a month-long suspension from the NFL, though he continued to dodge drug tests by using teammates’ urine.
After retiring in 1993, Taylor’s addiction led to multiple run-ins with the law, including a DUI arrest. But with the help of drug rehab, he got sober and co-founded Fore Life Inc., a non-profit aimed at helping at-risk youth succeed through golf—a chance for redemption and a new purpose.
Addiction can take anyone to dark places. But there’s hope, happiness, and freedom on the other side. The above athletes got help to climb out of the trenches of SUD and you can, too. Our drug and alcohol treatment centers with integrated mental health in Idaho and Utah offer custom-tailored programs for men and women because every story is unique. Take the first step toward recovery and watch miracles happen all around you.