" You know once upon a time so. I was an intrepid young whip -- snapper down in Charlotte, North Carolina. Covering the Carolina Panthers for -- who says whimper snapper but I threw that in there just for you. Cover in the Carolina Panthers when they drafted Jason Peter. Out of the university Nebraska a member of the three time national championship squad. For Nebraska and it was much heralded next great defensive lineman -- him. Good defenders with a panthers' Kevin Greene Sam mills Eric Davis and company. And Jason Peter had an injury -- career with a talent has just never seem to get on the field on a consistent basis. And -- who has lived a sort of life full of many details on the district this to opening salvo from Jason Peter in his new book. Hero of the underground Jason Peter -- O'Neill and O'Neill now available. I wasn't afraid of death how good idea who lived under dead shadow every day. When you swallow sixty bike in twenty sleeping pills and drank a bottle of vodka and still survive a certain sense of invulnerability stays with you. When you continually used drugs with a kind of reckless determination that I did. The limit to how much terror and a cracked you can suggest is not the five by dollar amounts but the but by the amounts your body can withstand without experiencing he seizure or respiratory. Failure in at the end of every -- every night of lining up 678 crack pipes and hitting them one after the other bam bam bam. Every not a smoking and snorting back up the bag at -- after all that when you still wake up to see the -- thirties guy over you as the night before. You start the thank them instead of dying maybe your punishment is to live. To be stuck in his purgatory of self abuse in misery for an eternity. That's just the opening paragraph. Of this book. Jason Peter good morning how are you. Doing great thanks I knew he had some issues in Carolina. We'll get to those in a moment but I never do. It got to this point for it and first of all congratulations the fact you walked in the Europe Jason I think deserve congratulations."
" Yeah I mean most people don't amount on the -- earned. That the music thing I didn't think that would I didn't want it I mean it and it and -- read there there was. A point where that the story that you just read. That was you know -- a year after. They've taken my outlet and in in Charlotte and it was in 2000 -- a game yet -- New Orleans. And a little over a year later I was at sentences it just because that was completely miserable. Was really really angry at the wave. My rear ended. And George Seifert and Marty Europeans and that it just in case it won't mean it. It's an office after Monday after that that Sunday game and I knew exactly what was happening. It bidding contact daily contact between my it my four years now there is probably better friends with that physicians and trainers. And I it was probably alienated teammates just because that's where -- in -- time and end up that we. Attended news that it doesn't happen again that. It was going to be yet -- when they called -- hand. And knows what happens like walk and electric chair and it's sure not what's the experts that that this we can't cleared play anymore. Your career is done and or because. Even with those four years that were just injury like -- There were there were bright spots along the way when they would get me healthy for. A couple weeks or something and and I would lay in and think it'd be great. Who's playing well and -- I'd be right back in another major injury and even after those four years there was still on the inside that. That thought geez it's like it just -- healthy. You just get healthy and but. At that point was over and for the last eight years in my life my identity at it and -- as the old players especially on grass -- is not like you're put up on this pedestal like hero worship. And I didn't know what to do and prepared itself well at all and -- miserable -- drugs via the addiction you know of the physical and yeah at that point a lot of like -- so. It's you know where -- with only only one more stressful keeping that happen that many -- that's -- you know what doctor and well forms -- last. And that was where goal and like the orbit useless at that atmosphere where it would be better off. Without me against dragging him down and and we get the point where. It instead of -- it's it's crack cocaine and heroin. Media can be a couple of great for him out back in my father on the back look out and it has been this great like it majors or in the back yard and it beautiful area of great concern that I can't from the heroin crack. They used to look at these people is that that event -- what a waste of -- mean I would like to just take the back in it ask it there's -- meet in that was Nate that was me and it just -- it was -- about it. Or it's just as the field good -- get out of bed. -- in the end it was you know I didn't want to live when it wasn't going to be. Well -- much heralded decided to do it owed the news which dealer in music don't like. Holes that has."
" Jason Peter on DNC here in and Jason asking me. You say sixty to eighty bike into the -- people there you know -- programs and how you survive the next day. Did you still the stomach lining it at what point after football how many years how many months it was a -- days did you get into the street drugs."
" It's -- the amount was truck Peter King. Had it -- article. Few weeks ago and and wrote about that would -- succeed Haiti in it and that people get comment on -- word theory there's no way it's but he can do that. It -- this sense yes indeed is the ignorance on this. -- that prediction. There are guys that I have been an entry that were doing -- wondered only under fifty that date. And -- we -- take who eventually got. More and it worked in an eight in the war now at some point because -- matter meat being Michael weekend warrior. When proposal for me my life what rocks I mean it was 24 hours a day in especially. When I got back into New York here and started doing cocaine. And messed around with we it in and act like dial it was eight fall behind. Seven days -- week before that they. You'd go for 45 days and being not being wired. And you know like are right in the book community businesses extra. A lot of women and all drugs and it that's polite is that like there is no let me take a break for three days I mean it's now something that is pretty elite effects that you constantly have to do so. A -- forgot the second answer your question there."
" Is -- the the stomach lining you know and how many how long would. How long after football -- over for you did you find this other side you know and in the real sports peace. You -- you equated mix in the crap with a heroin as -- quote unquote kissing god."
" Yeah I mean. It's just and you don't like these treatments and and in this work in the problem that I have waited for me personally -- is like BA eight. -- Is they want you connect -- these groups -- make sure is that your in the needing. I'll leave it and just one part of the problem is that if a guy who. Like where he has now armed Warriors coming up -- Warriors being brought. And I currently have these these new young guys coming. You're meeting in their talk about and believe me it is the way get these meetings is it's like. Story line. Where I'm at the this new mixture of drugs that I did and for me that was a constant it. And narrow minded. -- has been ruled it veto it and there's a lot in patient and to be reminded on that on a daily basis which is. Just didn't work from me which is too much like it is. It is Marty right on the edge there with those current reminders and it is. It is that Tom -- with that that whining in like. Now in the human body against the pretty remarkable. Because you you're able to bounce back. You know it was say oh -- Getting off both the goals and at one point that heroin I could have done it without some like. Medical supervision. You know I would the -- first that's here at Tucson Arizona and they basically just through -- and Andy you don't get much relief in terms medicine that they gave you an inmate ego is good or where. I thought was good because when I'm lack that play -- will evaporate and like -- hope the most -- like etiquette because I never want to go through that again. And you know we're on now that I -- it starts with ability cocaine addiction that's -- the crack it and and coming -- apparel and worse than coming up though so and liberals like."
" you mentioned the rehab experienced Jason you tried numerous times to -- the addictions only to quickly fall off the wagon needs time in and out of rehab facilities on the west coast each trip out west seem crazier than last. The cast of characters you -- becomes strange one trip in particular as a write the book. You charter private plane to fly and rehab on board strippers and hookers and not crack and heroin to keep them all high for -- week. Do you have some absolutely zany experiences and you don't want to rehab but before you step in there -- door. You just off the wagon yet."
" You know all I think probably most a lot of addicts alcoholics and the cultures that is you know and tomorrow's going to be the end. Well meant I had to be epic well and I probably heard that every time or pray went. Does that might -- for the table or. That we can't before it would be just absolutely area and -- news -- there in the private it'd. Changed my life for good well it. I think at adamantly one. One more blow out because for me against the it and would've been. He's sitting here with my hand who showed up that stated thank god because. -- statement like well. If that would have been at the end and -- me exists felt like -- in this is the addicts coming out of me that I had. One more -- the experience and that. So that's -- rent the private. -- to eight class. Escorts from. -- That I use in New York in and we flew cross country and -- much drugs that probably connect. Distribute over every state that it flew over."
" Unbelievable I mean it is anything -- you go back your playing daisy that Nebraska and it. Did the environment there set you up for -- this or does it the second start play pro ball that all changed."
" Or be in -- the actual that they -- a first and it ain't petals in. In the perhaps a variety in any. It's can't think there -- was abusing them I didn't do any of that stuff that panic don't. Well prior meet -- Carolina and it does carry over Carolina but I think. Or might fiction or. Things that need be you'll be a little bit because there was no wait there was certainly I think it treatment. You know win win 80000 people are screaming your name anymore that the shock system. And -- people aren't giving you free dinners or free meals -- getting treated like. This majors liberty and do those types of things. That little low gears and no matter Carol what a person or wind it when. The arms in the war. For years and years and years and not there where you're just an average. -- or to switch your identity. Somewhat in in in. It Nebraska. Where they have before three national championships in four years first team all American a guy who's not for you know major awards. -- You're treated like god out -- I mean there's not an -- out there that's abreast of all and that's it. I think Carolina where. You'd in the year down there I mean the best interpreted as well eight Dayton we barely missed the playoffs and that was the -- You're still an NFL players they'll you know -- the year the first round. So would you walk in restaurants people are looking in now they -- and I mean look at that. -- well or -- they could be they have like there's statement Peter Wright beat. You know what I mean it's just the people know who you are thinking you're treated differently and that's gone. It's popped into it for me it was. Like while I had a White and in two kids so my adjustment they'd be active focus on now. Whitney it would just be our added now light and it is an out. -- well. You know that's my excuse me if she just my situation -- I think why this happened with me."
" We're talking with Jason Peter the author of hero of the underground my journey down arrow and -- back Britain would -- deal. A few people that have review the -- isn't and reads like a hunter S Thompson book and that's a credit to you. I'm amazed by your writing style I don't know if we should give credit to Tony avenue as well but the prose jumps off the page. Is this something that you worked up to your overtime did you think about this at all. Ten years ago when you started using -- you know some them to sit down write a book and tell my story did you ever get to that point what brought you to this point to write this book."
" Now I -- start again you a lot of credit podium you know -- without and there would have been 3000 common. First and at. With Meehan and constant run on sentences and and I'm not much of a writer -- meet. Accurately would get on the computer and you know we talk about different thing you know which -- direction. Ago I would you know on the computer and right right right right writer we -- phone and and that he would really shake off a lot of that stuff then I would send them Peyton Peyton. Eat when he was done visit you would read like it it it says today so at our credit the -- great that he's not by some when he mentioned in the same sentences -- on. And in guys like that means I'll be shot I think he's now in terms of -- in the book you know the only that the first about possibly do. Was around listening -- lamented that first HBO real work together on that when the -- If you years ago at first not in that last treatments that are and California. -- the streets and the conditions and new clean not for like four weeks five weeks. You feel good you go from the point where you're walking like on the edge of debt in and you finally get some sleep and not just. You know a date. We mean you really catch up your body feels great when -- that we want to directly. Right -- need help everybody and and that was. Do an HBO real sports now land and I in the outfield bat because there was a lot of people let's say that help them. And you know at that -- so that was an. -- And it just trying to diet and as the speed of light just. Slowed down -- living in a speed that everybody else's desk and you know all of those. Those feelings of needing help everybody -- away sparked it is really focus on the battle that you happen. At the and it really -- kept quiet and -- she's probably it's around read. Read -- years ago. Where somebody mentioned it in the again and -- in. And met with a few people my first idea it was I wanted to self help people and nothing like what -- beyond. And it was just a retro like it can't tell my experiences somewhat. Talk about how I was able to treat myself up and and then nobody want anything that would that mean at -- pretty much like a year and a cleaner two years clean. And you know what qualifies -- write a book parent you know therapist strength and -- they said noted that they well who would be that it may be -- oh. Oh hole because Conseco's book it is now."
" The likelihood Upton. That's a lot to live up to --"
" Yet senate using community that you'd you'd bet wrong -- I'll never the so you'd think you're going to get -- greeted do it and and somewhere down the line you're gonna start pushing for being in main in main -- and so. -- I'll think about it and I really backed off that they can you know what good am I. Where we can keep everything in account that we -- Duke was as -- loving it worked. This wouldn't be the norm there should be some airing your dirty laundry almost when needed. Aden it was a league instead look at but it has to be labeled oh look in -- help. And did it doesn't have to be in. You know that's actionable library the fact that your table that -- Abuse most people don't you know aren't I think factor that a long -- Another huge part -- that for the first time since well all was over me. Somebody needed needed these somebody wanted me to these and they were going to -- in pain -- ought. But it's gonna pay me and enter into contract in. In this goes back almost that whole identity in what -- what I'm supposed to do. Because I had prepared myself when -- went Donnie Shell like that there opal got it would come around on meeting -- I yours all they get one point five million or whatever it was the year in and and watch out don't worry about. Life after football I felt like same -- Com means that in years because I played for twelve. A -- get -- you know everything which right now my body you know pro ball player I don't little all the same now mentality. So this the first time that that somebody. That sign your name here and we need this this and that and -- help. I mean it was different you know volunteer coaching out of high school. But that was on here now I had -- in the paint job so that was that was."
" Jason Peter here and does Callahan and you match your Titans failing as a brother Christian doing Jason."
" You don't great these bacteria jerseys very beautiful girl from New York and -- have two little girls and yeah light came back together a bit -- girls are."
" I got to -- does it is it. You're all -- you I'm wrong I I had to."
" It got to a point where it was is you told live a reporter from Nebraska that. It was so pathetic because I didn't care I was Ohio that time you cut yourself off from your. Life support your family you did that that's what it it was so great for you at that point. You didn't care because while you're worried about was the heroin and crack what what brought to that point."
" Extra XL people out there and be they're limited her own world there could be. The people that are around. Family members the people that have to deal. Are there every night waiting here. As -- pretty the bulk all of the outcome. Where or it -- body because they think it's urged and it's what happens now and July. One where I had the heels were -- or hurt anybody because it was fortunate that I had. Money you know I'd never go out of which read in its war do any of that stuff let me it was. Pick against -- me. White style with the drug addiction. It's it's different -- lot of people's although it it's very similar in the same in the fact that you have to addiction. He will -- mine it was like you know. Not going out that is where dying backers on any regular Republican dropping off. It's an eight balls of cocaine inner hurt or five. No big arm angles of apparel and so it it was a lot different and some people but it's also similar in the same but it and that's in the same thing never brought create airship or nurture family apart. Thank god says that I had a faintly that never turn their back -- because I've been adding new a lot of people throughout this process and her family said that. No more. I don't Clemens and caller spoke of it see it until. It's so eager straight now and -- not just when you get out of rehab and you know province is in two years when you've been playing. And admitted that that backed off and because I'd it and then if I and Christian in -- In the top after every -- and it couldn't get up but myself. I mean geez it would have been a whole lot easier or maybe it would. A lot quicker we get back dominant and what did back now."
" superior speed and inspiring story and now one of -- a talk show host in Lincoln Nebraska I'm sure their book burning up the phone lines now wondering how bowl Bellini will do. In their consumption that's a 247 venture for it."
" Yeah and I didn't show out and -- entry at the tendon. A -- people get up that we they'll go thirteen and now we're. It's just the reality of -- but this is such a different situation at all it's they went bill Callahan. He'd been their because bill Callahan took over. There was still a lot of people who thought frank soul what you they'll be that coach -- made just went ten and three. And that's not bad when you look around the country and it think that was probably the reason. Why it took the practice so long tenured coach bill here who wanted to go and where they just fired the guy. Coached there for the last thirty years -- it's like any played there as well and they fired up for Darlington three so. A little different bill count bill came in sick and that is what nation. Well it's coming in two you'd better but it -- it and it not just because things were bad for the last four years. But because on board -- so that's huge and -- vote of confidence and it not only that -- not -- higher and -- on where it all worked a deal. So that was it was saying or not do it and that was. Turner -- which is the matter of what does Nebraska in need most now where's that need to be fixed the bulbs and they're biggest problems on decent -- they finished the year last. Individual against -- that are the watcher the black sure they'd. They didn't finish the black shirts by the I think ethnic Tutsis in but that's the way it should be visited that was atrocious. There's talk about not living up a certain standard what I think that would respect. They had it was very much a -- on the back everything will be okay it will get turned around -- Whereas this past that I played on -- in the Charley pride they're very coach -- And you weren't going to be on the field let alone may be you'd be off the team if you played. The way that they played last year and they needed somebody kick in advance they need someone get an air base in -- they'd never got. And you know -- it is a lot of excitement you know he. Completely opposite and they'll count and bill Callahan he term and I camera and he tells the people want they can -- did not third. And you know at some -- after post game state well I'd like to explain it it -- it might be able to complicated Korea I. Not to get wrapped up again I'm brand."
" Jason know we talked for hours were up against the thing around for joy has continued success with the book it's a terrific read in -- in -- battling your demons as well. Thanks Jason and I Jason -- thank you hero of the underground. My journey down -- back picking up zone it's it's riveting the best word used Tennessee -- so -- alarming seriously there was lightning are. Dennis into a head would be hero is still act on Sports Radio W yeah"
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