Art Schlichter

If I had a million bucks, or five, or 10, what would I do with it? Well, I wouldn't necessarily buy mink-lined underwear, but I'd probably stop buying clothes off the rack, or at least start acquainting myself with salespeople who have better racks. I'd be able to afford to buy toothpaste with fluoride instead of the kind without. I'd be able to afford gasoline at today's prices and drive dozens of blocks farther each day. I'd be able to afford wine that doesn't come with a twist-off cap.

Bill Brubaker of the Washington Post, writing about professional gamblers' influence on athletes, mentioned former Baltimore and Indianapolis Colt quarterback Art Schlichter, who was suspended by the NFL in 1983 after he reportedly piled up $750,000 in gambling debts. Four years later, Schlichter underwent treatment for a gambling addiction, then was arrested on gambling charges.

Art Schlichter, whose clean image as a college football quarterback was tarnished by gambling after he made it to the NFL, has entered a Las Vegas hospital that specializes in treating chronic gamblers, his lawyer says. Schlichter admitted himself for 30 days Monday, his lawyer, Charles F. Freiburger, said in a letter to Circleville Municipal Judge O. Charles Hosterman. It is at least the third time he has been hospitalized for gambling.

Two days after resigning as athletic director at Ohio State University, Rick Bay said he decided to announce the firing of football Coach Earle Bruce Monday because he could not lie to the school's coaches for a week. Meanwhile, the governor of Ohio said that Bruce's handling--or lack thereof--of ex-Buckeye Art Schlichter's gambling habit long ago displeased the university president and was a major factor in Bruce's dismissal.

Former Colt quarterback Art Schlichter, suspended by the NFL for twice being involved with gambling, has been denied reinstatement this year by commissioner Pete Rozelle. "I think Art has made very strong progress in resolving his problem," Rozelle said, but added that "I feel that more time would probably be necessary in his recovery program. Therefore, I don't think he should play this year but I think he should be reinstated for a subsequent year if his progress continues."