Cris Carter credits Buddy Ryan with saving his life
Cris Carter's road to the Pro Football Hall of Fame was paved with some large roadblocks.
The wide receiver strugged with drug and alcohol abuse during his first three seasons in the league with the Eagles -- a statistically productive but personally destructive period in which he failed two drug tests and nearly got himself suspended for a full season.
After the death of legendary NFL coach Buddy Ryan, who served as the Eagles head coach when Carter played in Philadelphia, the wideout posted a tribute to Ryan:
Condolences to Rex, Rob, and the rest of the Ryan family. You saved my life with tough love. https://t.co/OYSsfrFMhi pic.twitter.com/DyZ6dP58zw
— Cris Carter (@criscarter80) June 28, 2016
The "tough love" refers to Ryan's decision to cut the troubled wideout during the 1990 preseason. Carter has explained that he reached rock bottom after that jolt and subsequently turned his life around:
Carter poses with his bust during the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement.
-
2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Top 100 led by Caleb Williams
NFL mock draft: Nick Wright has Bears pair Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr.
2024 NFL Draft QB rankings: Caleb Williams leads top 10 prospects
-
2024 NFL free agency tracker: Signings, updates, best players available
2024 NFL Draft Schedule: How to watch, date, TV channel
2024 NFL playoff bracket: Schedule, picture, Super Bowl result
-
2024 NFL Draft RB rankings: No clear stars, but deep top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft WR rankings: Marvin Harrison Jr. leads stacked top 10 prospects
Super Bowl locations, dates for 2025, 2026, 2027
-
2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Top 100 led by Caleb Williams
NFL mock draft: Nick Wright has Bears pair Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr.
2024 NFL Draft QB rankings: Caleb Williams leads top 10 prospects
-
2024 NFL free agency tracker: Signings, updates, best players available
2024 NFL Draft Schedule: How to watch, date, TV channel
2024 NFL playoff bracket: Schedule, picture, Super Bowl result
-
2024 NFL Draft RB rankings: No clear stars, but deep top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft WR rankings: Marvin Harrison Jr. leads stacked top 10 prospects
Super Bowl locations, dates for 2025, 2026, 2027