Six sports personalities who were ruined by drugs

Drug abuse, which is the habitual taking of illegal drugs, has ruined the life of many sports personalities both active and non-active ones.

The tragic tale of Abu Imoro, a former Black Stars midfielder who has now been reduced to a begger due to drug addiction has compelled Pulse Sports to compile a list of Sports personalities who were ruined by drugs

Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona is arguably the greatest footballer of all-time, but his image and football career was tainted because of cocaine. The midfielder soccer star struggled with a twenty-year cocaine addiction, leading to three suspensions and multiple failed drug tests during his career. The famous of his drug incidents occurred when he was thrown out of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, after he tested positive for cocaine.

Len Bias

Len Bias, a promising University of Maryland All-American basketball player died of a cocaine overdose only two days after being drafted by the Boston Celtics. Tragically, it seemed to be his first time too.

"Leonard Bias died of cocaine intoxication. This interrupted normal electrical control of his heartbeat, which resulted in sudden onset of seizures and cardiac arrest. The toxicological study we did in addition to the cocaine analysis showed no alcohol or other drugs in his body at the time of his death." Maryland medical examiner, Dr. John Smialek said.

Nate Newton

Nate Newton made six Pro Bowls in NFL before being busted for marijuana, earning him two and a half years in a federal prison.

Roy Tarpley

In 1995, the NBA permanently banned Roy Tarpley for his alcohol use. He had previously been expelled from the league for cocaine use.

Steve Howe

In 1992, MLB player Steve Howe became the league’s first player to be banned for life due to drug use. He had been banned six times before he was slapped with a life time ban in 1992.

Don Rogers

Less than a week before his wedding, a cocaine overdose triggered a massive heart attack that caused the death of Cleveland Browns`football star Don Rogers, according to a coroners report released.