Steroids and Lyle Alzado

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Back in the day, the mysteries of steroid useage were just that, mysteries. Your pre-remote control author watched Lyle play many years ago for Denver and later for the Los Angeles Raiders (that’s right Los Angeles). He was ferocious and only later did we know why.

Lyle went on the do movies and television and was involved in pro wrestling.

Wrestling Note For all your boxing and wrestling needs go to Jab and Grapple. You will get hit smack in the face with great stories and tossed to the mat with great commentary. The squibster orders you to go there or we will meet in the ring!

This was still back in the days when the dangers of steroid use were just coming out. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted to the use of steroids. Heck, Doctors used to administer the stuff. But, hey, don’t get me going on a rant. Lyle was fun to watch, good for the game, but a sad story outside of football.

Found this memorial to Lyle Alzado.

Alzado, Lyle Martin b. 1949. d. 1992.
Football player. He played for the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns and the LA Raiders. Lyle, a true defensive standout for the Broncos, was the first Yankton College (South Dakota) player ever drafted by the NFL and was a two-time all conference pick. From those humble beginnings, his combination of quickness and strength, provided Lyle with the pass-rushing skills to start with the Broncos in 1971.
His 4.75 40-yard dash time, coupled with his tremendous strength – Lyle once had 27 wins as an amateur boxer – ranked Lyle as one of pro football’s top pass rushers. His status as a premier defensive lineman was also enhanced by his versatility – he played both end and tackle in the front four with All-pro status. Lyle Alzado was 42 when he died of brain cancer. An American football SuperBowl hero with the Los Angeles Raiders in the 1984, Alzado owned a restaurant in West Hollywood and had embarked on a career as a movie actor when he died in 1992 after going public. “I started taking anabolic steroids in 1969 and never stopped,” he admitted during his pain-racked final days. “It was addicting, mentally addicting. Now I’m sick, and I’m scared. Ninety per cent of the athletes I know are on the stuff. We’re not born to be 300lbs or jump 30ft. But all the time I was taking steroids, I knew they were making me play better. I became very violent on the field and off it. I did things only crazy people do. Once a guy sideswiped my car and I beat the hell out of him. Now look at me. My hair’s gone, I wobble when I walk and have to hold on to someone for support, and I have trouble remembering things. My last wish? That no one else ever dies this way.”
Riverview Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Cause of Death: Brain cancer brought on by excessive steroid use.

Fan Question Don’t you wish it was one way or the other, either they all take ‘em or none of them take ‘em?