Stanley Wilson was a ninth-round draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1983, though he proved to be a handy utility man around the same time as one of the franchises' all-time greatest teams. However, Wilson had a dark side, and was suspended for the 1985 and 1987 seasons for cocaine use. The Bengals welcomed him back into the fold, gave him a second chance, and he repaid them with a solid season as their third-choice running back. His recovery ended in tears, as he relapsed on the night before Super Bowl XXIII and was discovered by one of the coaches, high, in a bathroom. He wasn't allowed to play in the big game which was narrowly lost by the Bengals, and with it being his third strike, he was banned for life. Many of his teammates never forgave him for it. Sadly, Wilson couldn't control his addiction despite multiple attempts at rehab, and in 1999, he was caught trying to steal $130,000 from a Beverly Hills mansion, landing him in prison for 22 years.
What Culture contributor. NCTJ accredited Sports Journalist. Regret-filled Sunderland AFC season ticket holder. Optimism-filled NFL fan. Lover of all things Game Of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Walking Dead & more.
