SAN ANTONIO – Legendary Texas Longhorn and Heisman Trophy winning running back Earl Campbell spoke at the 16th Annual Rise Recovery Campaign Breakfast Thursday morning at the Omni Hotel at the Colonnade.
Campbell, 60, took to the stage, telling his story of triumph and tragedy both on the football field and off. One of the most beloved Texas athletes explained how doctors treating his pain from sports injuries nearly took away his life with an addiction to prescription pain medication.
The pro football hall of famer said it took his family to point out the spiraling addiction. They put him in rehab in Austin, but he admits it took a while before he realized that the heroin addict next to him in group therapy was not so different from him.
"I got down on my knees and I accepted that I had a problem," he said.
He said that it took him awhile to speak about his struggle because he was ashamed. Campbell said he came from a good Christian family in Tyler and had managed to avoid drugs as a professional athlete. Now he’s a role model to those seeking sobriety and offers to mentor young people who need to learn how to overcome pain without opioids.
"I use my BoFlex machine and work out. I feel that my pain gets a little better, but I can't sit here and lie to you and say I don't have pain in my back, because I do," he said.
Campbell said there are also non-narcotic pain medications and treatments that doctors can use, but they need to be educated. He also credits meditation and prayer as ways to ease pain.
These observations follow new federal guidelines intended to stop the prescription drug epidemic in the United States. Doctors have been put on notice that any prescription for opioids will be scrutinized further than before. Campbell’s life experiences are a textbook example of how a helpful prescription turned into five prescription, which were compounded when he washed the pills downs with beer.
It’s all the result of lingering football injuries that continue to affect his ability to even walk. When asked if he would have played a little less or a little less strong in his running back days, he laughed and said he wouldn’t have it any other way.
He relishes the time he spent as a sports hero and Heisman Trophy winner. Watching Johnny Manziel, member of that same brotherhood, teeter on the brink of losing it all due to partying, is hard for Campbell.
"I just want to say, ‘Dude, do you understand what a gift God gave you? You won the Heisman Trophy. You're part of the brotherhood. You are part of the club. Turn it around,'" Campbell said.
As for Campbell’s future, he sees a book and maybe a movie starring Denzel Washington, an actor known for his athletic roles. Still, even Campbell admits that it will take some work to achieve his now-famous 34-inch thighs in his heyday.
“Oh yeah, they could make them that big. He could work out and get them there," he laughed.
Campbell came to San Antonio on the invitation of Rise Recovery, a local rehabilitation and education organization that offers adults, teenagers and their families hope and care. Among its many services, children who are struggling with drug addiction and their families can get treatment free of charge. For more information on all Rise Recovery can do, visit RiseRecovery.org.
Below is a timeline of Earl Campbell's career highlights and his battle with addiction: