A list of famous athletes who have been convicted of drug charges or related crimes, whether it be drug trafficking, drug dealing, or drug possession. Both professional and amateur athletes with drug problems have been included in this list, although amateurs on this list must have competed in the Olympics, or some other equal level of competition. I think I've included them all, but if you think I've missed any people in sports caught or busted for possession or drug use, please feel free to let me know in the comments. For whatever reason, jocks have an on going knack for getting themselves into trouble with the police.
From famous athletes like "Fast Eddie" Johnson and others who lost it all because of drugs and crime, this list will tell you all about athletes busted for drugs and professional athletes arrested, and ultimately convicted, all for drug charges.
Famous Athletes Convicted of Drug Charges,
Alex Cole
Once known as a leader in stolen bases, former MLB player Alex Cole also comes in as one of many athletes busted for drugs. Cole played for a handful of professional baseball teams between 1990 and 1996 but after he left the majors he took up another career, selling heroin. He was caught in 2002 in Florida by federal agent operating a sting, pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute heroin and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Bob Probert
Arguably one of the best enforcers to play the game of hockey, Bob Probert also battled a great deal of drug addiction issues during his time. Probert, who played primarily for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, nearly saw his drug problems end his playing career including in 1989 when he was sentenced to three months in prison for possession of cocaine. Probie, as he was known by his beloved fans, died suddenly of a heart attack on July 5, 2010.
Christian Hosoi
Professional skateboarder Christian Hosoi turned pro at the age of 14 and practiced under legend Tony Hawk during his career in the 1980s. Hosoi's story however ends much differently than Hawk's and included a bankruptcy and drug addiction. In 1995, Hosoi was arrested twice for minor offenses but failed to appear in court. He was on the lam until 2000 when he was arrested at the Honolulu airport with 1.5 pounds of crystal meth. This led to federal charges of trafficking with the intent to distribute and a 10-year prison sentence. He served four years and was released in 2004.
Darryl Henley
Darryl Henley, a former cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL during the 1990s, is only playing prison league football these days, if at all. Henley is currently serving a 41-year sentence after an arrest for trafficking cocaine. He could have seen much less time behind bars however after his initial trial, Henley hired contract killers to get rid of the judge on the case. Spoiler: He was caught and they threw the book at him and he's serving a 41-year sentence in the big house.
Darryl Strawberry
Legendary baseball player Darryl Strawberry is remembered as one of of the best sluggers to play the game and unfortunately also for his personal issues with substance abuse. Strawberry, a four-time World Series champion, two-time Silver Slugger, eight-time MLB All-Star and many other honorable titles, had nearly as many personal problems as he hit home runs. His first drug bust came in 1999 when he was arrested for soliciting sex from a police officer and was carrying cocaine at the time. This snowballed as he dealt with cancer, was in and out of drug treatment centers and violated the terms of his court-ordered house arrest. Despite several stays in prison, Strawberry has regained much of his respect and went on to appear on the reality show "The Apprentice" in 2010 and remains a beloved New York Met.
Denny McLain
Though the career of former MLB player Denny McClain includes winning 30 or more games during a season, a feat which only 13 players in the 20th century have done, his profile also includes accusations of gambling, connections with organized crime and drug problems. His arrests were plentiful both during and after his baseball career ended including for trafficking of cocaine, embezzlement and racketeering with the likes of Anthony Spilotro and later John Gotti Jr. This resulted in a sentence of 12 years in prison in the 1990s, among other minor offenses after his release. He was also arrested in 2008 and 2011 due to outstanding warrants against him.
Dexter Manley
Once nicknamed the "Secretary of Defense," Dexter Manley spent several seasons in the NFL with the Washington Redskins and even was named a member of the Redskins Ring of Fame but that career ended prematurely after Manley fell into drugs. In 1995, he was suspended from the NFL after an arrest in which he was caught carrying cocaine. Manley was sentenced to four years in prison but served only two and never returned to professional football.
Byron "Bam" Morris
Like many others on this list, former NFL running back Byron "Bam" Morris is remembered more for his drug problems than his professional football career. Morris was named the top college football running back in 1993 then went on to play several seasons in the NFL, a career that was interrupted several times by drug charges. His first arrest, for possession of marijuana and cocaine, came in 1996 which earned him a fine, community service and probation. In 2000, he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and was sentenced to 30 months in prison. He served his time but returned to the clink in 2001 after a parole violation. Morris was released again in 2004.
Charles Zwolsman
Charles Zwolsman Sr., father to fellow race car driver Charles Zwolsman Jr., was imprisoned in Holland late in his left after two separate drug-related incidents in 1995 and 2001. In addition to an arrest for attempted murder, Zwolsman was put behind bars for multiple drug trafficking cases including one that interrupted the career of his son, who also went to prison for 18 months. Zwolsman Sr. was found dead in a Dutch prison in January 2011.
Fast Eddie Johnson
Former Auburn Tigers standout "Fast Eddie" Johnson had a promising NBA career cut short after drug addiction led to his expulsion from the league in 1987. Through 2006, Johnson had around 100 arrests on his record for everything from burglary to sexual battery of a minor child to rape. It was a sexual battery charge that was the last straw for Johnson who received a life sentence as a result in 2008. He currently spends his days with no possibility of parole in the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution.