Stanley Wilson (running back)

Stanley T. Wilson, Sr. (born August 23, 1961) is an American former professional football player, a running back, who played for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals. He attended college at the University of Oklahoma and selected by the Bengals in the ninth round of the 1983 NFL Draft.

Wilson played high school football at Banning High School in Los Angeles, California, where he played with Freeman McNeil in the backfield and he was the 4A player of the year in 1978 and 1979.

Drug problems
Primarily used as a fullback, Wilson's career was marred by two suspensions for use of cocaine, which is banned by the NFL. He was forced to sit out the 1985 and 1987 seasons as a consequence (and later banned for life).

Super Bowl XXIII and subsequent ban
Inarguably, the most notorious instance of Wilson's relapse into cocaine usage was on the eve of Super Bowl XXIII, where the Bengals were to play the San Francisco 49ers. Wilson told several teammates that he needed to get his playbook before their last meeting prior to the game. Twenty minutes later, his position coach, Jim Anderson, found him in the bathroom, deep in the throes of a cocaine high. The Bengals had no choice but to leave him off the roster. Wilson's relapse was his third offense under the NFL's drug policy, and he was banned from the league for life. It has been argued that the loss of Wilson may have contributed to the Bengals' loss to the 49ers. The field at Joe Robbie Stadium was somewhat muddy that night, but Wilson usually excelled in these conditions.

Later years
In the years after his relapse and banishment, Wilson was in and out of rehabilitation on several occasions. In 1999, he was convicted of stealing $130,000 in property from a Beverly Hills, California home to support his habit. He was sentenced to 22 years in Lancaster, California state prison for burglary. During his trial, Wilson's lawyer contended that Wilson suffers from bipolar disorder.

Family
His son, Stanley Wilson, Jr., who was six years of age in 1989, was taken to the game by his paternal grandparents. Later, Wilson, Jr. attended Stanford University on scholarship as a running back, but was later moved to cornerback. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft.