Thursday, August 30, 2007

One Moment Changes Everything: The All-America Tragedy of Don Rogers


One Moment Changes Everything
The All-America Tragedy of Don Rogers

Sean D. Harvey

DESCRIPTION

Don Rogers was a three-sport phenomenon who energized a forgotten corner of the world (North Sacramento). He could run, jump and tackle better than anyone in California. A role model to children, he became both an honor student and a consensus All- American football player for UCLA, where he dominated two Rose Bowls and was a favorite of fans and sportswriters alike. Rogers went on to become a first-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns and was voted rookie of the year in 1984.

Then it fell apart. Just one week after the overdose death of basketball star Len Bias, and only one day before his marriage to his college sweetheart, while in the upstairs bedroom of his mother’s home Rogers made the incomprehensible decision to use cocaine, and died just hours later. This All-American story is about a good man whose life transcended sports, and whose death continues to spur important debate about burden, love, addiction, responsibility, and what constitutes happiness in the material world.
(Purchase)