ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 15, 1996 TAG: 9605150048
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: MILWAUKEE
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
THE NFL'S MOST VALUABLE PLAYER says he's been hooked on painkillers.
At first, Brett Favre's biggest concern about off-season ankle surgery was the effect it would have on his golf game.
Instead, the hospital stay awakened the NFL's Most Valuable Player to the hard truth that he was addicted to painkillers.
And when the Green Bay Packers quarterback was subsequently stricken with a seizure, he was so terrified he sought help under the league's substance abuse policy and decided to enter a drug treatment facility.
``It's very serious. It's something I have to take care of,'' said Favre, who revealed his addiction during a news conference Tuesday in Green Bay. ``My main objective is to get better first for myself and for my family and help this football team win.''
Favre, who threw an NFC-record 38 touchdowns last season in guiding the Packers to their first NFC title game in 28 years, disclosed that he voluntarily entered the league's substance abuse program in February.
He said he knew he had a problem after a seizure in the hospital following surgery Feb. 27 to remove bone chips from his left ankle.
Citing the confidentiality of the league's program, coach Mike Holmgren and general manager Ron Wolf refused to say what drug treatment center the 26-year-old star would enter.
However, team doctor John Gray said he hopes Favre can rehabilitate himself under the league's care and be ready for training camp in late July.
Neither Favre nor any of the team's executives or doctors would elaborate on the treatment or say if Favre's dependency included alcohol or recreational drugs.
Speaking in a halting voice, Favre read a statement but declined to answer questions. He left the auditorium at Lambeau Field with his fiancee, Deanna Tynes.
``Throughout the last couple of years, in playing with pain and injuries and suffering numerous surgeries, I possibly became dependent on medication,'' Favre said. ``And the last surgery, being ankle surgery, I suffered a seizure in the hospital a couple of months back. Because of that I've sought help through the NFL.''
Favre acknowledged he can't face his addiction alone.
``I have the support of Mike and Ron, the NFL, family, friends to get through this,'' he said. ``It's not an easy thing. I'm going to admit into a treatment facility for however long it takes to get better.''
Holmgren said Favre turned to league doctors in February and has met with them several times in the last two months but that because of the confidentiality of the league's program, he and Wolf only recently were told of Favre's dependency.
Despite several severe injuries, Favre hasn't missed a start for the Packers since taking over in the fourth week of the 1992 season for an NFL-best streak of 61 regular-season starts, plus seven more in the playoffs.
His 38 touchdowns last season were the third most in NFL history behind Dan Marino's 48 in 1984 and 44 in 1986.
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Favre. color. KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB