I'm Not Worth A Damn

May 24, 2011 8:23 AM

An oldie but a goodie: Don Reese, then of the San Diego Chargers, talks about his own problems with cocaine and the widespread drug use in the NFL at the time.

Here's a single page version of the above article.

posted by reenum (9 comments total)

"I now see myself as a miserable human being, not worth a damn."

The crux of the problem right there.
posted by dave78981 at 8:28 AM on May 24, 2011

But drugs dominate the game, and I got caught up in them, and before I knew it I was freebasing cocaine. And then I was a zombie.

starring Nick Nolte.
posted by clavdivs at 8:30 AM on May 24, 2011

Why are we reading an article from 1982? Just curious. Is there some current context related to this?
posted by tomswift at 8:47 AM on May 24, 2011

...Users call cocaine "the lady." The lady has a widespread acceptance in the best of circles. However, those of us who are—or were—hooked can tell you it's no lady

Nine Inch Nails -- With Teeth
posted by hippybear at 8:51 AM on May 24, 2011

Why are we reading an article from 1982? Just curious. Is there some current context related to this?

One of the greatest things about the internet is that it can bring wonderful things from those past, pre-internet, days to a new, wider audience. And "we" are only reading it if "we" find it interesting unless "we" have a gun to our head held by a deranged Chargers fan.
posted by Rumple at 8:51 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]

He never stayed clean. And he died in 2003. Sad story.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 8:53 AM on May 24, 2011

^ wrong Reese, my mistake
posted by mr_crash_davis at 8:54 AM on May 24, 2011

Here's a 2004 article about the bust that ended his career and caused Reese to write this infamous article.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:31 PM on May 24, 2011

I can't tell if the uncapitalized "i" in "i'm Not Worth a Damn" caught my eye because it looks wrong, or because it seems to underscore the inherent self-loathing in the statement.
posted by Dark Messiah at 2:53 PM on May 24, 2011