The record-breaking running back whose career was derailed by addiction
In short: In 2011, Montee Ball was a scoring machine, setting NCAA records for touchdowns. But behind the accolades of a College Football Hall of Fame career lay a hidden struggle with alcoholism that would eventually dismantle his professional prospects and change his life forever.
During his tenure with the Wisconsin Badgers from 2009 to 2012, Montee Ball achieved unprecedented statistical heights. During the 2011 campaign, he joined a tiny group of five NCAA Division I FBS athletes to achieve 30 touchdowns in one year, ultimately totaling 38. By November 2015, he held the FBS records for both career rushing touchdowns with 77 and career total touchdowns with 83. His dominance earned him the Doak Walker Award in 2012 and a fourth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting. His 2011 season was particularly historic, as he set a Big Ten record for total points scored by a non-kicker with 236. That same year, he achieved a remarkable streak of 13 consecutive games featuring at least two touchdowns.
However, the trajectory of his professional career in the NFL, which began with the Denver Broncos in 2013, was undermined by a severe battle with alcoholism. Ball, who followed a family pattern of recovery, struggled with drinking during both his collegiate and professional years. During his NFL career, he reportedly consumed alcohol on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday nights, a habit that contributed to his release from the New England Patriots in 2016 following a domestic violence arrest. His time in Denver saw him selected in the second round of the 2013 draft, though injuries and competition eventually limited his playing time. By the time he reached New England, he was reportedly 30 pounds over his ideal weight.
The legal and personal consequences were significant. In 2016, Ball accepted a plea deal involving domestic violence accusations, resulting in 60 days of house arrest and 18 months of probation. Despite the devastation to his football career, Ball eventually found a new path. He credits his son, Maverick, with helping him overcome his addiction, and he now serves as an Outreach Specialist for Wisconsin Voices of Recovery. Beyond his recovery, his legacy is cemented in the halls of sporting excellence. Following his 2023 entry into the University of Wisconsin's Athletic Hall of Fame, his 2025 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame was scheduled.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Montee Ball
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