Busted: The Rise and Fall of Art Schlichter

by Jeff Snook, Art Schlichter

Art Schlichter was a football God; was being the key word. After playing starting quarterback for coaches Woody Hayes and Earle Bruce at the Ohio State University, he was picked in the first round of the 1982 NFL draft by the Baltimore Colts. His star faded when his demons turned him into a gambling addict; swapping his life of football promise for one that would leave him outrunning the mob and the feds, stealing from his own mother and leaving his wife to care for two baby girls as he made 40 different prisons his home over ten years. An unimaginable fall from greatness, Schlichter tells the story of his trips to heaven and hell to sportswriter Jeff Snook.

Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Shawn McCalla]

Interesting book. Conclusion is somewhat open ended. Altruistic. If Gambling becomes a problem , get help, its there for you. In some ways it helped myself to shed some perspective on events that occurred in my own life. For example I was a teen ager in the winter of 1983- 1984. One afternoon I was leaving the high school after Wrestling practice. And Art Schlichter was walking in to attend an Open Gym session I imagine. That High school is not there any longer, there is a new one. So some of the chapters were an echo of my own footfalls. Which I found pleasant. As in the comic strip PEANUTS. " Good Grief Charlie Brown!!" comes to mind. Nice read which helps to put some matters into perspective.

[Koral A. Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, interesting read


Although not an articulate writer, the story transitions from celebrity name dropping to all around everyman angst. It never gets dull and answers questions about what characteristics can lead to gambling addiction.

[Debbie Chamberlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and very sad at same time. Ending is very hopeful and left me with a good feeling. And then I googled Art today and was saddened and disappointed. Made me wonder if he was in active addiction will writing the end of this book!