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October 28th, 2009
09:07 AM ET
Unforced Error: Agassi Admits Meth Use
Tennis superstar Andre Agassi says he used the drug crystal meth in 1997, before spiraling to 141st in world tennis rankings later that year. The stunning admission comes in an upcoming autobiography.
In a excerpt published in the Times of London, Agassi says he lied to tennis officials after failing a drug test, saying he accidentally drank from an assistant's soda spiked with the highly addictive drug. They believed him.
Agassi is not the first star athlete/role model to abuse dangerous drugs and lie about it - and certainly won't be the last. We want to know what you think. Are you shocked by the news, or is it just another celebrity-gone-bad story? Share your thoughts and comments.
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Tony first and foremost I love you so much on CNN and I watch you everyday and I believe its just another celebrity gone bad story, so what who cares.
He didn't completely go bad, he just made some mistakes, he also overcame them, which is what we all strive to do.
At least he admitted it without having been forced to. It sounds like he realizes his mistake and wants to put some closure on it. I admire his courage for doing this.
P.S. Why do we put professional athletes on a higher scale? They are human and make mistakes, just like us all.
Who really cares
It always shocks me to hear that an athlete, and one so highly acclaimed, would do drugs of any kind. With all that they do to stay fit and competitive with great passion ....and then Crystal Meth ?? But then again, no different then of all the respected and coveted Politicians and Evangalists that have let there followers down with drugs,prostitution etc.... Fascinating!!
How disappointing is this Andre was fun to watch in his prime, and had no reason to do anything like this. He was on top of the world had everything and now this. We all make mistakes but this is way out of line, all his sponsors should pull their backing and let him see how we all operate when we have screwd up. Saying he made a mistake sounds trival and is an easy way to keep your sponsors on your side. See ya Andre we don't need you anymore.
Abusing meth along with other drugs (soft or hard) happens to be a victim-less crime. Even though what Agassi did can be seen with negative light, it should be said that he is human and that making mistakes is in our nature. I see his drug use as a small issue, and I feel that other things that can and should be covered.
As the mother of a recovering meth user (my baby, who is just 19) I was brought to tears upon hearing this news...AND HE LIED ABOUT IT, SAYING HE INJESTED IT IN A SODA??? My daughter was so dillusional she ended up in jail, and I had to give her ONLY 2 CHOICES: Rehab or she couldn't live with me...This report should tell the horrors of this scourge, as well...
So what, why is that news he money must be low
Tony – NEWS. NEWS. NEWS. Find it and report it. With all that is going on in our country and the world (yes, there is life beyond our borders) how in the world is Andre Agassi's drug use anything other than tabloid fluff?
You're network is rapidly deteriorating into nothing more than entertainment. I no longer turn to you for news. Why would I? Instead, I'm met with Andre and his meth instead of 90 fatalities from a car bomb in Pakistan. Terror suspects being arrested here at home.
Get better.
I'm not shocked by the news at all because this not the first time an athlete came out and admitted that he/she used drug to perform better. It's sad that we are supporting those athletes all the way then come to realize their perfomances were not 100% of them.
Agassi should be stripped of all awards and recognition after the usage.
His stupid drug act disgraced himself as well as his lying to the Tennis Officials. He has demonstrated the illegal use of drugs, especially such a dangerous one as Meth, can screw you up and even kill you. I have lost all respect for this ignorant individual. He was old enough to know better.
How many kids have to have their lives destroyed with the familiy members watching in horror as they see loved one decimate themselves.
He was a role model. Agassai is not forgiven.
Be not proud of his act let alone his admission.
Tony,
It is a fact that our abilities and talents become hinderd in time because of redundency. I feel that stimulants can acheave many prosperous results mainly if you consider the reality that as we grow some tasks become demeaning to us to perform may it be tennis or some other professional endevor or wage earning position.
Somewhere I read perhaps in the Bible Physician Heal Thyself . Human Beings are Dynamic things whereas tennis and or work are static and cannot advance themselves in a knowledge or performance which is a mental drag for a participant . So my conclusion is if it aint broken don't fix it !
As for Agassi more power to him for his candidness with his honesty which exponds on the fact of the personality he posseses.
President Obama admitted to cocane use are we going to persecute him also.
Drugs are wrong anyhow whether its performance inhancing or mood inhancing. It was years ago that he used these drugs that we know off but if he is clean and continues to stay that way. Let it go.
How can you call this poll, one year later? When in fact he did not take
office until January 20th, when EVERY PRESIDENT takes the oath of
office????
He's doing great. Too bad the "Party of No" gets in the way of everything, even blocking appointments to important posts like Surgeon General. But then, they said at the outset they would obstruct everything in order to make him fail.