layer that struggled with steroid usewas Lyle Alzado. He used them all throughout his college and professionalcareers. Alzado used the steroids secretly during his career to help himachieve the greatness that he did. Eventually he declared publicly that hehad lied about his use, but this was only after some deadly side effects hadset in. During his early years playing he looked at steroids as answer togaining competitive edge in the rigorous sport, and quickly he becameaddicted. He quickly gained recognition, and in 1977 he was award defensiveplayer of the year from the league. Alzado used the steroid called stanozololand later nandrolone, both extremely addictive and dangerous. He continued touse them throughout his career disregarding the dangers that they brought. Alzado's popularity won him some television roles after his football career. After being diagnosed with his disease, Alzado earnestly tried to convincepeople of the dangers that steroid use entailed. Eventually he died from arare form of brain cancer that he attributed to steroids. Alzado was onlyforty-three when he died (Compton's Online Encyclopedia). Competing in athletics on any level has its pressures. Pressures toperform and win can be a heavy burden for players. Every player wants to bethe best and become the next superstar of their sport, like Michael Jordan isto basketball. As with many areas of life, the better you perform on thefield the more prestige, money, and power you will receive. These rewards arevery enticing to young athletes, and many would sacrifice profusely to achievesuch goals. Getting to such greatness requires a great amount of time, skill,hard work, and luck. But, instead of sacrificing time and hard work athleteslook for the easy way to reach stardom. This seems to be a theme that isgrowing more common in the realm of sports. Still, some athletes may not beas gifted as others may, so they likely will try to make up for deficienc...
