From Deseret News archives:

Pills for pain put BYU star in a tailspin

Published: Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007 12:34 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Bryant Atkinson felt the push to return to the football field at Brigham Young University after each of his three knee surgeries.

Repairing a torn meniscus is a rather routine operation nowadays, and players are expected to jog within a day or two and run sprints in about a week. Atkinson followed the prescribed workouts, though his knees didn't feel right.

"You really don't have a choice but to get in and start running," he said. "I knew I shouldn't be doing it, but there's so much pressure to get on it and practice."

Atkinson also followed the prescribed dosages of Lortab or Percocet he was given, at least after the first two injuries. It wasn't until his third surgery that he started swallowing pain pills for more than pain.

"You know what it does. You know that it can be a problem," he said. "You don't think it's going to be a problem for you."

But opiates did become a problem for him, eventually leading to a heroin addiction, an arrest and jail time.

Once teammates were aware Atkinson had narcotics, he became a magnet for other players seeking painkillers as did his wife, Mindy, who always had pills on hand due to chronic back problems from high school soccer and basketball.

Story continues below
"There were so many players abusing it. Players would call me on the phone (saying), 'What did you get? Can I have some?"' Mindy Atkinson said.

To those who read the court briefs in the newspaper or caught a 15-second TV news story complete with Atkinson's mug shot, he appeared to be another self-indulgent athlete hooked on drugs.

But there's more to the story of how an Eagle Scout from a good family got engulfed in drug addiction.

A 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker, Atkinson was the state's most sought-after player coming out of Timpview High School in 2001. His prep coach believed he would become a college star. BYU won the recruiting war for him over Utah, Oregon, Arizona State and Texas Tech.

Atkinson, 24, the grandson of former BYU coach Chick Atkinson, redshirted his first year but saw a lot of action the next two seasons. He earned Academic All-Mountain West Conference honors in 2002 and 2003 and was BYU's special teams cover player of the year in 2002.

Things were lining up for him to be a starter his junior year under second-year defensive coordinator Bronco Mendenhall. At the same time and unbeknownst to anyone, Atkinson began losing his passion for football.

Recent comments

Don't blame anyone accept that you have a problem and know that it's...

Lisamarie Perez | March 18, 2008 at 1:53 a.m.

Don't blame anyone, just accept that you have a problem,and know wiyj...

Lisamarie Perez | March 18, 2008 at 1:34 a.m.

I know these people from high school and did not think fondly of one...

suri99 | Nov. 1, 2007 at 9:29 p.m.

Image
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News

Bryant and Mindy Atkinson play Foosball at the home of Bryant's parents in Provo. They now look at their arrest last March on drug charges to have been a blessing.

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

RSL's Rimando makes 3

So Great!!! So Proud - Love RSL - Bring Home The CUP!!!!!

mr cannon's bold assertation that the purpose of the first ammendemnt as...

RSL heads to MLS title game

Great great great game!!!! Nicky Rimando is a god! We're the most complete...

I had the game on DVR and just watched it. That was the most exciting game...

RSL heads to MLS title game

financially cannot this year, but I will watch loyally, how great to hear...

This is hardly surprising. Bennett has a remarkable arrogance which is also...

RSL heads to MLS title game

I guess that is why "they play the game" as Herman Edwards would say.. ...

BYU happy to escape with victory

What was the score of the LSU vs LA tech game? Alot closer than you'd like to...

Has Fedor not said that THIS IS OUR YEAR all year long? Go back and...

This is just a small glimpse of the future with Obamacare: corruption, waste...

Advertisements
Advertisement