OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – These days Tony Mandarich is more in the business of lifting people up rather than knocking them down.
“There’s always hope,” Mandarich told Local 5 News. “As bad as it gets, look at my life, look at what happened in Green Bay and then the miracle happens, right.”
On Friday night, the former No. 2 overall NFL draft pick and former Green Bay Packer was in Oshkosh serving as the keynote speaker at a charity event. He spoke about addiction a topic that he knows a lot about.
In recent years, Mandarich has been open about how drug and alcohol addiction derailed his career with the Green Bay Packers. He said he was severely addicted to painkillers to the point that he would stash drugs into his jockstrap during practice and get high during bathroom breaks. He also has said he used steroids in college at Michigan State.
Mandarich performed poorly because of his drug addiction and the Packers released him after four seasons.
Green Bay East High School Girls Flag Football team makes official league debut
“My experience wasn’t a good one because of me, not because of the Packers or the town,” he told Local 5 News. “My four years personally were a disappointment because I kept self-sabotaging myself with drugs and alcohol.”
On April 24, 1989, Mandarich appeared on a cover of Sports Illustrated. The headline read ‘The Incredible Bulk: 6’6″, 315-pound, Tony Mandarich the best offensive line prospect ever.’ Just a few years later he appeared on a Sports Illustrated cover again under a much different headline that labeled him as the incredible bust.
It didn’t help that Troy Aikman went one pick in front of him and Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders were all picked behind him in the 1989 NFL draft. Mandarich revealed after his career that the drug and alcohol addiction was a big reason why professional football hadn’t panned out the way many had hoped it would.
“It got to the point where living day-to-day or existing was so painful, emotionally and physically,” he said. “Everything was glass half empty.”
Mandarich’s keynote speech came at a fundraiser for NOVA Counseling Services which is a nonprofit organization in Oshkosh that helps folks who are battling addiction. It’s been around for 42 years and has helped 15000 people.
“The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety, it’s connection and you’re seeing a lot of connection here tonight,” NOVA’s executive director Patrick Drury told Local 5 News.
Mandarich said his goal when he shares his story is to instill hope in people going through addiction and let them know he’s in their corner and that they can get sober.
“We’re all made of the same stuff, so it’s not like I have something special,” he told Local 5 News. “It was just a matter where I was desperate enough to change.”
First day of Packers rookie minicamp in the books
Mandarich said this was the first time he’s been back to Northeast Wisconsin since December 1992. He said he visited Lambeau Field and did a stadium tour on Thursday saying he was very impressed by all the renovations and upgrades to the stadium and the surrounding area since his playing days.
Several hundred people attended the NOVA fundraiser. Several attendees told Local 5 News that Mandarich’s message was very important for everybody to hear.
“His story is one of hope, resilience, and triumph and ultimately at the end of the day that’s what’ NOVA Counseling Services is about,” Drury said.
“You aren’t alone, there are people out there, recovery is possible and the hope is there,” another NOVA employee told Local 5 News. “Very lucky and blessed to have Tony here for this event.”
If you or a loved one is struggling, please know that there are numerous resources available. Local 5 has compiled a list of some local and federal resources for help below:
