HARD ONE TO KICK –
Oct. 13, 2024 – Tony Adams battled alcoholism and even served time in jail for a drink-driving offense in 1990 after he hit a wall while driving at four times the legal alcohol limit. However, a stint behind bars did little to curb his addiction. Reflecting on his struggles with alcohol to ESPNcricinfo in 2019, Adams said: “The denial was really strong, and the consequences too, but even a spell in Chelmsford prison down the road didn’t stop me drinking. “I came out of prison and drunk and drove again. The denial was still in me, and I wasn’t ready.” Adams also recently opened up on the Reggie Yates Podcast about his harrowing experience following a crushing defeat by Germany in the Euro 1996 semi-finals, revealing a period of intense struggle.
He explained: “I was 29, and I didn’t want to be on the planet anymore; it was that painful. I couldn’t live with drink or without it. It was my go-to, it was my problem and my solution. My last drink was on Friday at 5pm on the 16th August … I went on a 44-day bender … from the last kick of the game, 26th of June, when the Germans beat us out until the 16th of August. It was pretty cr*p to be honest with you.”
