In 1978, Art Schlichter was one of the most actively recruited high school quarterbacks in America, chased by some of the legendary college coaches of the game, Bo Schembechler, Woody Hayes and Joe Paterno among them. But after a record-breaking four years at Ohio State, Schlichter’s bid at a pro-football career nosedived in a dramatic and public way.
In a new book from Orange Frazer Press, Schlichter (and co-author Jeff Snook) tells how he, as a first round NFL draft pick in 1982, would fall more than $1 million in debt, become one of the biggest NFL flops of all-time and a full-fledged gambler and con man committing dozens of crimes that would send him to prison for more than a decade.
Busted, the Rise and Fall of Art Schlichter, (Orange Frazer Press) is the compelling, personal story of how someone with fame, fortune and matinee idol looks was driven by the demons of a gripping addiction to steal from family and friends to support his gambling habit.
An All-America collegiate player and top 10 Heisman trophy contender, Schlichter reveals his father’s burning desire to mold him into an idolized athlete who would win championships and make millions. Schlichter describes in detail how a fateful interception led to Woody Hayes’ resignation and his frustration and anger with Earle Bruce’s conservative offense.
Drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1982, Schlichter also reveals the causes behind his complete failure as an NFL quarterback and his suspension from the league in 1983. Schlichter also details how he used gambling to numb his self-inflicted pain until he contemplated suicide, and how he gambled away more than $120,000 in two days.
The father of two daughters, Schlichter’s compulsive gambling wrecked his marriage. Now living in Ohio in his boyhood hometown, Schlichter has been out of prison since 2006 and works as a sports commentator and helps others whose lives have been ruined by addiction.
You can purchase Busted: The Rise and Fall of Art Schlichter
he is my high school coach currently. he is well respected and liked. hopefully he will return next year as well… Tell City Marksmen….. He has given copies of this book out to several of us players and coaches… it is a good book as i have been told…. i haven’t received a copy yet but have been promised one soon…..