Another casualty of the early 80's NBA Cocaine Binge:
6'2" G Fast Eddie Johnson just died in prison, serving a life sentence for molesting an 8 year old girl. Had drug and other arrests prior to that.
* Important*
Not to be confused with the other Eddie Johnson who was much taller, had a longer career, also much with ATL, and always seemed like a good guy.Pat Williams, who was then general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, stated: "Eddie became a time bomb every summer."
I really don't remember him, though he was a two time all-star.
Edward Lee Johnson Jr. (February 24, 1955 – October 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. He played 10 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) – mainly as a member of the Atlanta Hawks – from 1977 to 1987.
Johnson was a two-time NBA-All-Star with the Hawks in 1980 and 1981, and earned two nominations to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1979 and 1980.
Johnson battled a cocaine addiction throughout his career. After several suspensions, he finally checked himself into rehab in 1986. After he failed to follow through on mandatory counseling, the NBA suspended him in 1987.[1]
Johnson averaged 15.1 points per game in 675 games played during his 10-year NBA career.[
Seems he had mental issues (which the drug abuse likely exacerbated):
Johnson was diagnosed with manic depression by psychiatrists in the Cobb County facility; he doubted the accuracy of the diagnosis. He was prescribed with lithium tablets that he stopped taking during the 1980–81 NBA season without the knowledge of the Hawks team. Johnson believed that he no longer needed the medication and that it contributed to his tiredness during games.
The Hawks became aware of the resumption of Johnson's erratic behavior in July 1981 and persuaded him to submit to a local hospital. Johnson showed up at the Hawks' training camp in October directly from the hospital and became increasingly disruptive as he rebuked teammates, left the floor to play with a child in the stands, and jumped rope on the sidelines while oblivious to his surroundings during practice sessions. After being so alarmed by his actions, Atlanta Hawks President Michael Gearon and General Manager Stan Kasten contacted Johnson's psychiatrist, who signed a commitment order to have Johnson placed in Grady Memorial Hospital. Johnson was picked up by police before a planned practice session and taken to Grady. Johnson was taken off the Hawks' suspended list on November 21, 1981.
Johnson's life continued to spiral out of control following his banishment from the NBA. He was arrested and convicted for a litany of crimes over the years, including burglary, robbery, assault on a police officer, and shoplifting. He admitted that he had frequent drug problems which had initially cost him his career.
Johnson's rap sheet numbered about 100 arrests and five stints in and out of the Florida prison system when in 2006, he was arrested for burglary and sexual battery and molestation of an 8-year-old girl, while awaiting trial on charges of raping another woman.
Sad tale. Died at 65 in jail.
Spent the last dozen years imprisoned.
Plus other jail stints in the two decades after his playing career and before his final strike.
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Topic: NBA (Read 91267 times)