Ep 11. Lyle Alzado

Lyle Alzado was a feared and beloved figure in the world of professional football, known as much for his intensity on the field as for his passion for the game. In this episode of A Football Life, we dive deep into the life and legacy of Alzado, exploring his rise to stardom and the trials and tribulations that followed.

Born in Brooklyn in 1949, Alzado was raised in an environment of poverty and violence. He turned to football as an escape, finding solace in the game's physicality and the camaraderie of his teammates. Alzado was recruited to play for tiny Yankton College in South Dakota, where he quickly made a name for himself as a fierce and aggressive lineman.

After a standout college career, Alzado was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 1971. Over the next decade, he would establish himself as one of the most feared defensive players in the league, earning three Pro Bowl selections and a reputation as a relentless competitor. Despite his success, however, Alzado struggled with substance abuse and began to suffer from the physical toll of his punishing style of play.

In 1982, Alzado made the controversial decision to leave the Broncos and sign with their fierce rivals, the Oakland Raiders. He quickly became a key part of the Raiders' vaunted defense, earning a Super Bowl victory in 1984 and cementing his legacy as one of the most iconic players of his era.

But even as Alzado continued to thrive on the field, his body began to betray him. He suffered a series of injuries and illnesses that forced him to retire from the game in 1985, at the age of 36. Determined to stay involved in football, however, Alzado remained active in coaching and mentoring young players.

Tragically, Alzado's life was cut short in 1992, when he succumbed to brain cancer at the age of 43. The disease was later linked to his use of anabolic steroids during his playing days, a controversy that continues to echo in the world of professional sports.

Despite the controversy and tragedy that marked his life and career, Lyle Alzado remains an enduring icon of the game of football. In this episode of A Football Life, we explore the highs and lows of his remarkable journey, celebrating his fierce passion for the game and his enduring legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.