If Dallas Cowboys fans are not yet familiar with the name Jason Peters, they soon will be. Signing with the team’s practice squad in September 2022, Jason comes with a past in which he overcame some of life’s biggest hurdles. Detailed in Peters’ memoir, Hero of the Underground, is the story of how this football pro struggled with substance abuse and his personal journey to recovery.
Destined for Greatness but Sidelined by Injuries and Substance Abuse
As a young college student, Jason Peters was the offensive tackle for the University of Nebraska. Side by side with his older brother, Peters led the University to three National Championships. These successes including shutting out NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. In 1998 Peters was 14th pick in the NFL draft, ultimately being selected by the Carolina Panthers. He was disappointed to not be in the top ten but vowed that he would impress the league with his performance on the field in Charlotte.
The move to Charlotte was not an easy one for Peters as he struggled to adjust. Contract negotiations with the team were stalled. This raised his anxiety as his contact was not solidified until five days before the start of the season. Then the injuries that would sideline his career began in 1998. In December of that year the first surgery was performed on his shoulder. Peters was sent home from the hospital with a bottle of Vicodin for the pain. Two months later, a surgery on the other shoulder put him out for the season. Depressed and unable to train, Peters began a downward spiral that culminated with a dependency on Oxycontin, Dilaudid, Vicodin, and Xanax.
Peters would bribe doctors with autographed NFL memorabilia to fill his prescriptions. As months went by, he continued a downward spiral of substance abuse. In 1999 he was arrested for DUI and the press had a field day. Feeling hopeless, Peters retired in 2000. At the time he was taking up to 60 Vicodin just to get through a day. He moved to New York City and began experimenting with Cocaine. Depressed and struggling with drugs and alcohol, Peters attempted to take his own life with a combination of pills and alcohol.
Finding a Recovery Treatment Plan That Worked
After his suicide attempt, friends, family, and Peters himself realized that his life depended on getting help for his substance abuse. His first attempt at recovery was a treatment center in Arizona. Determined to have Peters follow their own regimented program, he quickly realized that this wasn’t the right fit. Following other failed attempts at recovery, Peters finally found a center that offered a personalized treatment plan for him. Instead of following the traditional 12-step program, this recovery center focused on Peters’ needs and where he was in his recovery journey. This made all the difference.
Today, Jason Peters is living a sober life. He is working for ESPN radio and happily just signed a contract with the Dallas Cowboys. His story is a great testament how finding the right recovery center can make all the difference. At Campbell Recovery Services we wish Jason Peters congratulations and continued success on his long-term sobriety.
