5 famous sportspersons who died from drug-related causes

Lamar Odom was at death’s door and is barely recovering nowThere are seldom instances as harrowing as losing a promising young life to vices. It is tough to comprehend even an inkling of the bereavement of those close to the unfortunate soul. Now imagine the how harrowing it is for those in the public eye to go through such an experience.Witnessing a star sportspersons’s fall from grace, especially with the kind of perverse fanfare surrounding it, is even immensely distressing. While the loved ones are devastated by the tragedy, the fans struggle through with the shock of the incident, perplexed by why someone who perceivably “had it all” would allow their lives to take such a horrifying turn.In the light of NBA Superstar Lamar Odom’s recent brush with death due to substance overdose, we take a look at some well-loved athletes who were fell victim to their demons.

#1 Curt \"Mr. Perfect\" Hennig

Not as perfect as you’d imagine

Date of Birth: 28/03/1958

Died: 10/02/2003

Cause of Death: Cocaine overdose

The WWE Superstar was named by the organisation as one of the 5 greatest Intercontinental Champions of all time. He is widely accepted by fans and wrestlers as the one who brought credibility to the title and was the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of the 90s.

He was known for raising the bar when it came to technicality in wrestling. As Hulk Hogan perfectly summed it up: “Everybody would check their egos at the door when they came to a building that Curt Hennig was in, because you couldn't out-work him, you couldn't outshine him and you couldn't out-perform him. He was the best of the best.”

On February 10, 2003, Hennig was found dead in a Florida hotel room. He was 44 years old. The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's Office declared acute cocaine intoxication to be the cause of his death. His father said that steroids and painkillers also contributed to his death.

Hennig was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

#2 Marco \"The Pirate\" Pantani

Allegations of doping brought a halt to Pantani’s career

Date of Birth: 13/01/1970

Died: 14/02/2004

Cause of Death: Acute cocaine poisoning

The Italian cyclist was considered one of the greatest climbers of his era. His aggressive riding style combined with the bandana and earring he wore made fans give him the nickname “The Pirate”. Pantani was the last cyclist to win the prestigious Tour de France and Giro d’Italia in the same year (1998).

Although he never tested positive for drugs in his career, Pantani was plagued by doping allegations that began in 1999. He was disqualified from that year’s Giro d’Italia for testing positive for Erythropoietin or EPO, which stimulates red-blood cell production.

After spending days barricaded in a hotel room in Rimini, Italy isolated from family and friends, Pantani was found dead in the early evening of February 2004. An autopsy revealed he had a cerebral edema and heart failure, and a coroner's inquest revealed acute cocaine poisoning.

In an interview with a magazine, his ex-girlfriend Christina Jonsson stated that Pantani had confessed to her that he had become addicted to cocaine after his expulsion from the 1999 Giro d’Italia. His funeral was attended by 20,000 mourners, including football legend Diego Maradona and 5-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain.

#3 George Best

“El Beatle” was one of the greatest dribblers of all tim

Date of Birth: 22/05/1946

Died: 25/11/2005

Cause of death: Lung infection and multiple organ failure due to side effects of immuno-suppressive drugs. They were administered for fear of rejection of a transplanted liver because his own liver was severely damaged from years of alcoholism.

Manchester United’s top goalscorer for 5 consecutive seasons and the consensus greatest footballer from Northern Ireland went from being a shy Belfast kid who excelled in academics to “El Beatle”, transforming into one of the first sports celebrities.

Best is considered one of the greatest dribblers of all time, combining pace with feints and balance to bamboozle defenders. But the trappings of success would engulf him after winning the FWA Footballer of the Year award, European Cup and the European Player of the Year award at just 22 years old.

Best's alcoholism was infamous and would ultimately lead to his death. Even after receiving a liver transplant at the expense of the National Health Service, Best couldn’t curb his habit. On October 3^rd 2005, Best was placed in the ICU of Cromwell Hospital in London, to treat a kidney infection caused by the side effects of immuno-suppressive drugs used to prevent his body from rejecting his transplanted liver.

It soon became apparent that Best would not pull through and friends and fans sent in final farewell wishes. On 20^th November, at Best’s own request, News of the World published a picture of the star in is bed, along with a warning about the dangers of alcohol and a caption saying “Don’t die like me”.

Treatment was stopped in the early hours of November 25^th. Best died later that day due to lung infection and multiple organ failure. Football legends like Pele, Maradona, Johan Cruyf and Eric Catona paid tribute to him.

#4 Sid Barnes

Barnes (right), though eccentric was a shrewd businessman and a cricket journalist

Date of Birth: 05/05/1916

Died: 16/12/1973

Cause of death: Barbiturate and bromide poisoning

Sidney George Barnes was considered one of Australia’s finest batsmen during the World War II era and was a member of “The Invincibles”, the Australian team that toured England in 1948 without losing a single match.

In December 1946, Barnes matched his captain Don Bradman’s score of 234 in a record 405-run 5^th wicket partnership against England in Sydney. Barnes was known for being eccentric which was highlighted in a state match against South Australia, where he offered to play as twelfth man to afford youngster Ray Flockton a place in the team. Barnes came on to the field during the drinks break dressed in a suit and tie, carrying cigars, iced towels, a mirror and comb, a radio and a clothes brush, amongst other pointless things.

Barnes would antagonise and distance himself from many of his friends due to bipolar disorder. The condition was treated with diazepam and electroconvulsive therapy and he spent much of his later years visiting clinics seeking treatment. Barnes died at his home from barbiturate and bromide poisoning in 1973, and it is suspected that he committed suicide.

#5 Len Bias

It is unfortunate that we never got to see what Bias could’ve done with the mighty Celtics

Date of Birth: 18/11/1963

Died: 19/06/1986

Cause of death: Cocaine overdose

The youngest individual on the list is also the only one not to play in a major league or tournament. The 6”8’ Mayland native was termed “raw and undisciplined” as a freshman in the University of Maryland, but later honed himself to become a first-team All-American college Basketball player.

Bias impressed basketball fans with his amazing leaping ability, his physical stature and his ability to create plays, and was considered one of the most dynamic players in the nationSo prodigious were his skills that erstwhile NBA Champions the Boston Celtics drafted him as the 2^nd overall pick in the 1986 Draft.

Riches cascaded almost immediately, as Bias was reportedly in talks with Reebok’s Sports-Marketing Division regarding a five-year endorsement package worth $1.6 million. After returning to Maryland post the draft acceptance and product endorsement meeting in Boston, Bias and some friends used cocaine in the wee hours of June 19^th in his dorm room. Bias had a seizure around 6:30 AM and collapsed.

A medical emergency team could not get Bias to breath on his own or make his heart function. He was pronounced dead of cardiac arrhythmia due to cocaine use at 8:55 AM. Bias drew comparisons with legend Michael Jordan on occasion and is considered one of the greatest players to not play in the NBA.