Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
The first sentence of the April 24, 1989 cover story from the SI seen on the right: “The man from tomorrow is taking his drugs.” The author of that feature, Rick Telander, was referring to the highly caffeinated supplements then 22-year-old Tony Mandarich would take before working out.
Or, at least Telander thought caffeine was the drug to which he was referring. Now we know, officially, that Mandarich was indeed on steroids while playing at Michigan State. The shocking(!) confession will air on Inside the NFL tomorrow night:
Former NFL draft bust Tony Mandarich says he used steroids at Michigan State and faked a drug test before the 1988 Rose Bowl.He stopped doing the ‘roids before he entered the NFL? Well, that would certainly help explain why he suddenly was unable to block anyone. But really, the Packers should’ve never beat themselves up too much for taking Mandarich No. 2 overall. I mean, Troy Aikman went No. 1 and Barry Sanders went No. 3, so that draft class was clearly full of nothing but busts waiting to happen.He also said during an interview on "Inside the NFL" that will air Wednesday on Showtime that he did not use steroids in the NFL but was addicted to alcohol and painkillers.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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Well, to put it in the proper context, they really didn’t need a QB because they really like Don Majkowski. Passing on Sanders was big mistake to say the least. Manwhich has to be one of the top 3 busts of All-time. Wonder what he’s doing now?
by Hippi-Kat on Sep 30, 2008 10:22 PM EDT reply actions
I think everyone already knew this. ANd he difinitly is one of the biggest bust. His brother was a pretty good player in the CFL though. To bad he was one the juice too and passed away much too young.
by raps12 on Sep 30, 2008 11:07 PM EDT reply actions
Mandarich runs his own photography business now. Just run some google searches and you’ll find some of his work.
by cmottram on Sep 30, 2008 11:20 PM EDT reply actions
The Packers never had a chance to draft Troy Aikman because he was gone when they selected Mandaroid. (I had to get in the obligatory "I’m so cute" name change)
Now they did pass on Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders who were picked 3, 4 and 5 respectively.
The only other decent QB selected in that draft was Rodney Peete, who didn’t go until the 6th round.
by goldenchild on Oct 1, 2008 10:55 AM EDT reply actions
Is it any wonder when a current sports star "claims" that they don’t do drugs that we all roll our eyes and say "whatever"?
by jdanovich on Oct 1, 2008 11:30 AM EDT reply actions
Is it any wonder when a current sports star "claims" that they don’t do drugs that we all roll our eyes and say "whatever"?
by jdanovich on Oct 1, 2008 11:36 AM EDT reply actions
Could you imagine Sanders and Farve on the same team? Oh what could’ve been.
by Em Bomb on Oct 1, 2008 11:53 AM EDT reply actions
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