Former New England Patriot Chris Sullivan Addresses CM Students about the Perils of His Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Former defensive lineman Chris Sullivan, who played in two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, spoke to students in ’s Middle School Program and Peer Ministry classes on May 2. Sullivan shared his experiences and wisdom, in particular about what he’s learned from abusing drugs and alcohol.

Sullivan was joined by his wife Kathi Sullivan, whose daughter Taylor Meyer died in 2008, hip-hop artist Cheniel "Biggy" Garcia, and William Phillips, director of New Beginnings, a wellness educational program in Framingham. All four speakers addressed how drugs and alcohol affected their lives in different ways.

Sullivan, a standout player for North Attleboro, Boston College and the NFL, explained to students how football became his identity, and that even though he made good choices for most of his life, he never developed a habit of asking for help when he needed it.

"After the 2002 Super Bowl, I was sitting in my room, and I wasn't happy. I couldn't figure out why," he said. "Well I realized that there were things in my life that I had never addressed. When I lost football, I lost my identity. I started to drink heavier and do drugs, and I never talked to anybody about it."

By 2005, Sullivan, who weighed 350 pounds during his NFL days, was down to 160 due to alcohol and heroin abuse. "I went to the hospital. I got out a month later and got arrested, because I got heroin, the stuff that almost killed me a month before," he said.

Sullivan then discussed his recovery and how he got his life back on track. "You're going to be in situations where you're going to be offered these things. Nothing good comes out of them," he said.

Hip-hop artist Cheniel “Biggy” Garcia discussed growing up in an abusive family in the Bronx, abusing food, then drugs and alcohol and eventually becoming a dealer. He said that his mother's decision to move him to Massachusetts saved him. "I was born around violence, and drugs and alcohol came into my life early," he said. "I got into the wrong crowd, and all that comes back to you and haunts you."

"Someone in this room is or is going to be affected by drugs and alcohol," William Phillips said while leading the Q&A of the speakers. "I say that in every school I go to. You've got to listen to these stories for the pain, the sense of humor, and the joy of recovery. That comes back - as soon as you get your life back."

This article was provided by Catholic Memorial.