Editor’s Note: This article contains content around substance abuse, self harm, and suicide.
Former Miami Dolphins business manager David Pease visited UCI to discuss the risks of using drugs and alcohol with student athletes on Oct. 12.
The 78-year-old used his life experiences to speak publicly about the dangers of alcohol and drug consumption among athletes. He began the talk by sharing a picture of his three sons: Dave, Casey and Brian. He seemed overcome with emotion as he explained the devastating effects drugs have had on each of his children.
In 1997, Dave passed away from a drug overdose after his friends failed to call emergency services in time to save his life. Just four years later, Casey died after being taken off of life-support following a drunk driving incident. Recently, just six months ago, Brian died after committing suicide, ending his long battle with marijuana-induced psychosis.
Motivated to learn more, Pease’s research led him to the startling conclusion that repeated head trauma and alcohol consumption can cause major brain disorders, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
An important substance in the brain, called myelin, works as a cushioning agent and can be damaged by repeated trauma to the brain during contact sports. Alcohol consumption after this trauma can halt the healing process from occurring. Without healing, the athlete can develop a central nervous system and mood disorders.
“I’ve been on both the NFL and NIF to issue at least a preliminary warning about what I learned,” Pease said.
He claimed that the league has been sitting on this information for eight years. Pease suspects that the NFL remains silent on the dangerous link between contact sports and drinking because of long-standing sponsorship deals.
“The league will not say anything about it probably because they have a six year contract with Bud Light,” he said. “Significant money and significant reason to not come clean on the alcohol topic.”
Even though Pease is a member of the NFL’s extended family himself, his own experience of losing three children to drugs and alcohol inspired him to continue speaking out. He strives to help student-athletes make better choices by educating them.
This is not just an issue plaguing professionals. College football players face an estimated 2,000-3,000 subconcussive hits in their career. Drinking alcohol during this time could have long-lasting and irreversible effects on their health.
Before passing, Brian also used to give inspirational speeches on the same topic as his father. Pease closed out the talk urging students to STAND, or “Student Taking Action Not Drugs,” with his recently-deceased son.
“It’s time to bench alcohol,” he said.
Asia Boyd is a Campus News Intern for the fall 2022 quarter. She can be reached at asiajb@uci.edu.