Art, obsession, and identity
The Arsenal and England defender struggled with alcoholism for many years. "Alcohol gave me a good hiding; prison, intensive care, p*****g myself, s******g myself, still not giving up," he told The Guardian in 2020.
Sócrates is regarded as one of the greatest footballers to come out of Brazil. He too struggled with alcoholism. The midfielder underwent a liver transplant in 2011, but it wasn't enough to save his body from years of heavy drinking.
The English boxer struggled with mental health issues as well as drug and alcohol abuse. "In the end, I thought I'll end up drinking myself to death because I was so miserable," he confessed. Hatton sought help after the birth of his daughter.
The Ukrainian figure skating champion also liked her booze. In 1997 the Olympic gold medalist was arrested for DUI. Baiul entered rehab following the incident.
Once one of the most talented midfielders in the English squad, Gascoigne's heavy drinking and mental health issues seriously affected his career. "I'll always be an alcoholic," he told the UK's Sun newspaper in 2021.
The hockey player has been involved in a number of drunken incidents, including punching a cab driver back in 2009.
Sources: (Complex) (Ranker) (ESPN) (The Guardian) (Evening Standard) (New York Post) (Gateway Foundation) (The Sun) (KRTV) (Mail Online)
See also: Celebrities involved in bar brawls
The NBA player struggled with alcoholism for years. Baker resorted to booze to deal with fame and the pressures of his career. "It was like, I made it. Along with that came the celebration. And I celebrated and celebrated and celebrated almost every day." he recalled.
One of the greatest soccer players that Brazil (and the world) has ever seen, Garrincha struggled with alcoholism throughout most of his life. The two-times World Cup winner died from liver disease in 1983.
The 10x NBA All-Star player has suffered a few incidents fueled by booze, including being charged with domestic violence and an arrest for DUI.
The MLB player also struggled with alcohol and drugs. Hamilton entered rehab, but has relapsed a number of times over the years.
When asked what he could do that no other outside linebacker could, Taylor replied: "Drink." It turns out the NFL player was right, and he also did drugs. He can't even remember the day he got drafted. "I had 41 Coors Lights that day," he admitted.
Dwight "Doc" Gooden struggled with both drugs and booze. "I never thought I'd live this long," the Mets pitcher confessed back in 2016.
The baseball player battled cocaine addiction and alcohol abuse. "Addiction is very hard. It's not one of the overnight miracles that you just get out of. It's a process," said Strawberry.
In addition to baseball, "Miggy" also likes his booze. So much so that he entered rehab in 2010. "My drinking was a problem, and I feel good without it. I feel like a new man," he said when he finished treatment. A year later, Cabrera was arrested for DUI.
In 2010, several sources reported that the NBA player had a drinking problem. For instance, Stephen A. Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote: "According to several NBA sources with knowledge of the situation, Iverson has been troubled by excessive drinking."
"Broadway" Joe found success on and off the field. Sadly, booze was a great part of his life too. He did however manage to sober up. "I had embarrassed my friends and family and could not escape that feeling. I haven't had a drink since… That shame is where I found my strength to deal with the addiction," Namath wrote in his 2019 memoir, 'All the Way: My Life in Four Quarters.'
"The Mick" was a twenty-time MLB all-star, but he was also a champion drinker. In a 1994 interview, Mantle revealed that every morning for 10 years he had downed what he called a "breakfast of champions." This consisted of a big glass with a shot (or more) of brandy mixed with Kahlua and cream.
The Yankees star had a very successful career, but he too was a big drinker.
The NBA player formerly known as Ron Artest and Metta World Peace liked to drink Hennessy cognac in the locker room at halftime.
The NFL player was also a heavy drinker. "During that time when I was drinking, I wasn't doing the normal things I would normally do, like check up on the kids before they go to bed. I realized I did have a problem," he admitted in a 2003 interview.
The quarterback first became addicted to painkillers in the 1990s and then alcohol. "When I drank, did I drink one beer and go home? I thought, 'What a waste. Why drink one beer? Why not drink 20?' That's a problem," he said in a 2022 interview. Favre has been sober since 1998.
The Northern Ireland soccer star had a successful career playing for Manchester United. One of the greatest in the sport, the footballer also fell victim to alcoholism. "I spent a lot of money on booze, birds, and fast cars – the rest I just squandered," he said. Best received a liver transplant in 2002 and passed away in 2005.
Billy Martin became famous first as a player, then as a manager. But he was also notorious for his bad temper, which was fueled by booze.
The golfer first entered rehab in 1992, but his struggle with alcohol continued throughout his career. In 2008 Daly was taken into custody by police after being found drunk outside a Hooters restaurant in North Carolina.
"Hunt the Shunt" remains a poster boy for DUI offenders. After all, the late Formula One Champion was one of the best in the cockpit and a heavy drinker. Not to mention his cannabis and cocaine consumption, as well as his two-pack a day smoking habit.
There is nothing wrong with having the occasional drink. But imbibing heavily can become a serious problem. Sadly, many professional athletes have been all too tempted by booze, with some even ending up alcoholics! Luckily, a few of these sports stars managed to recover and remain sober. Others weren't so fortunate.
In this gallery we bring you the heaviest drinkers in the history of sport. Click on and find out who they are.
These athletes were heavy drinkers
Meet the hardest-drinking sportspeople in history
LIFESTYLE Sports
There is nothing wrong with having the occasional drink. But imbibing heavily can become a serious problem. Sadly, many professional athletes have been all too tempted by booze, with some even ending up alcoholics! Luckily, a few of these sports stars managed to recover and remain sober. Others weren't so fortunate.
In this gallery we bring you the heaviest drinkers in the history of sport. Click on and find out who they are.