The story of Colt Lyerla took a sad turn today as the former Oregon standout was arrested for heroin possession, as Tim Brown of The Oregonian writes. 
As a true freshman for Chip Kelly‘s Oregon Ducks in 2011, the tight end caught seven passes for 147 yards and 5 touchdowns. In 2013, Lyerla was getting into trouble off the field and ultimately quit the program. Soon after, he was arrested and later pleaded guilty to cocaine possession. After going undrafted, Lyerla signed on with the Packers but suffered a season-ending knee injury prior to the 2014 season. Lyerla’s agent said that the Packers indicated he would still be in the team’s plans, but they never circled back to him for one reason or another.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Dang, crazy stuff. I hope this guy gets he help he needs. That’s a DARK path he’s on. I know some family members who are hooked on that stuff and they can’t get off no matter how hard they try and no matter how much help we try to get them. But then again you really have to want to get clean in order for it to happen and even then it won’t be easy. I’ve had some close friends die from overdosing off it as well. I have never hated something as much as I hate drugs for what it’s done to so many people I love. Wish this guy nothing but the best. His playing days seem over but I’d like to hear that he turns his life around.
I hope he never rebounds on heroin either, that’s what really messes you up, getting clean then having an urge to do it, then your back on the wagon
He will he is.
Horrible.
Just horrible.
If he’d just stayed healthy, there’s a chance the structure and culture of Green Bay could have helped him turn things around.
Very sad.
As a man who has had three failed back surgeries, I can understand what he went through. I work closely with my doc to avoid the same thing, as there are so many stories like Colt’s. Folks are prescribed legal narcotics and they are NOT taken care of properly when it is time to leave them behind. Maybe they say that they are feeling pain free too early…there’s a thousand ways it can happen. However, when on the prescribed drugs for a long time, they quit working and folks end up going to the streets for relief. I have seen it many times and am very fortunate to have a doctor that is also very aware of this problem. However, many of the “doctors” out there just don’t give a damn. My first two surgeries were nothing but insurance scams. When I changed doctors, the new one laughed at my MRI and asked who had worked on me. I was lucky to find a surgeon AND a pain relief doctor who actually gave a damn. What surprised me about this story is the fact that this is a pro athlete, who should have had doctors with better insight into his problem. I’m one of the lucky ones, as picking out caregivers is a crap shoot. My prayers go out to this man as he should have received better care.