Drugs & Alcohol

Ryan Leaf didn't know Vincent Jackson personally but almost died the same way -- alone in a hotel room -- and he's begging Roger Goodell to do more to help former players cope.

The former NFL quarterback posted an emotional video Monday in the hours after Jackson passed away at the Homewood Suites hotel in Brandon, FL. Officials say Jackson had suffered from chronic alcoholism.

Now that he's had time to process the situation, Leaf spoke with TMZ Sports about why Jackson's death had such a tremendous impact on him, despite the fact they didn't know each other.

"I just was really emotional. I can relate," Leaf says ... "There was some empathy behind it because he was alone in a hotel room dying and I felt that way. I've been in a hotel room and was dying alone."

Leaf's struggles with substance abuse are no secret -- in fact, he even spent time in prison stemming from his addiction. But, he's not only sought help over the years, he's now committed to helping other former players deal with similar issues.

However, Leaf says he still struggles with "survivor's guilt" -- he can't understand why he lived and others in the very same situation have died.

"That's something I'm working on with my therapist because [Jackson] was a hell of a player and he's done so much for his community and everything like that. Why couldn't more have been done?"

So, what should the NFL do to help players who are struggling after their playing days are over?

"I particularly think a transition program immediately exiting the NFL or consistent therapy [could help]" Leaf says.

He also suggests the NFL build treatment centers for players -- similar to the military's VA hospitals and centers.

"I think there should be a facility for players who built [the NFL's brand] and whose minds are fragile and need help."

Leaf says several high-profile former NFL players have reached out to him to offer support -- including Michael Strahan.

The 44-year-old also has a message to players battling depression, addiction or any other issue that could affect their health -- please reach out.

"If family members or my brothers are in need or in a place where I once was, call me! I'll be on the first fight, I'll be in your living room, I'll go with you through it!"

Demi Lovato is revealing for the first time doctors believed she only had 5-10 minutes to live when she overdosed ... and it's all part of one of the most anticipated documentaries of the year.

The singer says she suffered 3 strokes and a heart attack during the nearly fatal July 2018 incident. Demi opened up about it for her upcoming documentary ... which also features friends and family describing her struggle to survive. The project is directed by Michael D. Ratner.

Aside from her OD ... "Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil" highlights her rise to superstardom and her struggles with sobriety and mental health. A new trailer shows the film will also touch on her recent 2-month engagement to Max Ehrich.

As we reported ... Demi was hospitalized for about 2 weeks following her overdose, but continued to recover for months until she made her comeback live performance at the Grammys in January 2020.

She performed the single, "Anyone" -- which she wrote just 4 days before she OD'd -- and later said it was pretty evident the lyrics were a cry for help.

However, as it's suggested in the documentary, Demi was good at making everyone believe she was okay.

Ex-NFL star Vincent Jackson "suffered from chronic alcoholism" -- and it appears to have been a factor in his death, this according to law enforcement.

Sheriff Chad Chronister of the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office in Florida revealed the findings from Jackson's autopsy Wednesday on the "MJ Morning Show" saying -- "We got the autopsy report that will be released today showed, unfortunately, he suffered from chronic alcoholism. Just tragic!"

Sheriff Chronister says officials are still waiting on the toxicology report to come back before they can issue an official cause of death -- but he notes Jackson had "long-standing health conditions that contributed to his passing because of some alcohol abuse."

The 38-year-old NFL wide receiver was discovered Monday by a housekeeper at the Homewood Suites hotel in Brandon, Florida (located in the Tampa area) ... where he had been living since January.

The whole situation was bizarre considering Jackson made more than $70 million in his NFL career and was widely loved in the community by family, friends and law enforcement.

So, why was he at that hotel alone? Sheriff Chronister has a theory ...

"Well this is true speculation but what the family is telling me is that he suffered from CTE. They believe he had a lot of concussion problems and when you suffer from that, you're not yourself."

Sheriff Chronister continued, "[The family believes] wholeheartedly all of these actions are the result of what he suffered while he was playing in the NFL."

Jackson spent 12 years in the pros -- making 3 Pro Bowls during his time with the San Diego Chargers and the Tampa Bay Bucs. He formally retired in 2018 but last played in 2016.

Sheriff Chronister noted how involved Jackson was in the community.

"He would never say no! He's the person you would call 'Hey I have something we wanna do for a child in need, a family in need, a military member in need' and he was always there. I don't know how he balanced his schedule."

Bam Margera is off the "Jackass 4" project for good -- and it's all because he couldn't stay in line when it came to his addiction issues ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Bam tell us he was informed last week by producers that he would no longer be part of the movie going forward. The reason is he essentially broke his contract.

We're told the 'Jackass' family wanted Bam to be part of the movie from the get-go, but were worried things would go left because of his past substance use and erratic behavior.

So, in order to achieve what everyone wanted -- at first, anyway -- our sources tell us Bam was presented with a handful of conditions/restrictions he was told he needed to abide by in order to stay on the project. Long story short ... we're told he failed to meet his end of the bargain.

As for what he was supposed to do ... our sources say there would be routine drug tests -- including urine samples -- plus committing to staying sober, blowing into a breathalyzer, taking his medication and seeing a psychologist while on the job. It's unclear which specific condition was the final straw.

Bam alluded to some of these conditions in his OG rant, when he called for a boycott of "Jackass 4" and seemed visibly upset -- only to turn around 24 hours later and say he was getting help. Despite him suggesting things were fine again, we're told he's still fired.

Our Bam sources tell us they're quite worried about him, as the prospect of working on "Jackass 4" seemed to be keeping him on the straight and narrow for a good while -- now he seems to be off the rails again. We are told he now feels like he is being cut out of what he helped create. He's been posting/deleting disparaging "Jackass 4" posts on and off.

Kendall Jenner is blazing a new trail within her famous family -- diving headfirst into tequila ... and is finally ready to introduce what she's been working on.

KJ announced her new tequila line Tuesday -- which she's dubbed "818," the area code in Calabasas -- while going on to explain the years-long journey she's been on to get to make what she considers the best spirit.

She writes, "after dozens of blind taste tests, trips to our distillery, entering into world tasting competitions anonymously and WINNING (🥳) ..3.5 years later i think we’ve done it!"

Kendall added this too ... "this is all we’ve been drinking for the last year and i can’t wait for everyone else to get their hands on this to enjoy it as much as we do! @drink818 coming soon 🥃🤤"

She attached a video of herself doing a taste test, which appears to have led to a final approval of her new product. There are also photos of her and friends downing her concoction, plus photos of a bunch of harvested agave plants.

This isn't a total shocker, BTW -- there've been subtle hints ... especially based on photos she posted from a recent getaway down to Mexico.

It also looks like 818's been in a bunch of tequila competitions recently (winning several) ... but has yet to hit the market widely. Up until now, there was a ton of buzz over 818 -- but no one knew how to get it, when it would officially launch or who was behind it.

Scott Miller -- a swimmer who won medals in the 1996 Summer Olympics -- was arrested in his home country of Australia this week ... after officials accused him of running a drug ring that was "intent on delivering death and misery."

Law enforcement made the announcement Down Under on Tuesday ... claiming Miller was a key cog in trying to spread over $1.5 million worth of methylamphetamine to regions in New South Wales.

Officials say the 45-year-old's drug dealings involved using candles to smuggle narcotics.

"For all intents and purposes, [they were] everyday candles," an investigator told media members.

"However they weren't laced with any fragrance, they were laced with half a kilo of methylamphetamine in each candle, and there were eight candles."

Officials said Miller was busted Tuesday ... claiming raids connected to the former star swimmer turned up "approximately one kilogram of heroin with a street value of $250,000, over $75,000 cash, mobile phones, documents, encrypted electronic devices and smaller amounts of prohibited drugs."

Officials added they arrested another man who they believe worked with Miller in the drug ring.

"They were well set up," an investigator said. "And they were intent on death and misery right throughout the state."

According to 9 News, Miller's attorney did NOT attempt to get bail for the ex-swimmer ... and it's now expected Miller will sit in jail until his next court hearing in April.

A freshman at West Virginia University got arrested for barreling down a snowy street in a laundry cart and nailing a police cruiser ... and yes, alcohol was involved.

Josh Beard was partying with friends in the fresh snow ... a tradition at WVU whenever the town gets blanketed.

Josh turned the laundry cart into a sled, but there was one big problem.  You can steer a sled ... not so with a laundry cart, and the proof's in the pics.

Josh is rocketed out of the laundry car as it strikes the police car, and that's all cops needed to see. Josh makes a run for it but he's no match for the police.

He's been charged with disorderly conduct, underage drinking, destruction of property, fleeing from an officer and playing in the streets. Playing in the streets, seriously?

Bruce Springsteen was glassy-eyed, swaying and reeked of booze when he was arrested for DWI ... at least according to cops.

According to legal docs, an officer watched Bruce take a shot of Patron Tequila, hop on his motorcycle and start the engine back on November 14. The officer says he informed Bruce drinking was prohibited in that area of Sandy Hook, NJ ... and observed the 750 ml bottle of Patron was empty.

Springsteen allegedly told the cop he was about to ride out of the park -- Gateway National Recreation Area -- even though he'd admitted to having 2 shots of tequila in the last 20 minutes.

The officer says Bruce smelled strongly of alcohol and his eyes were glassy, so he put the Boss through a field sobriety test, during which he was swaying, and took 45 steps when he was only asked to take 18. Cops say he refused to submit to a breathalyzer test.

TMZ broke the story ... the rock icon was cited for DWI, reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a closed area. There have been reports claiming Springsteen's BAC was only .02, far below the legal limit, however, cops can bust you for DWI based on other factors ... such as field sobriety testing or observing erratic driving. As we said, Bruce refused a breathalyzer test and the documents do not indicate he was tested after being arrested.

Bam Margera just went on a nearly 10-minute tirade -- about his own suicidal thoughts, and about being pissed he's been shut out of "Jackass 4."

Bam railed against the studio and producers behind the 'Jackass' franchise ... claiming they used his ideas for the new film, but didn't include him in it. He begged fans, "If anybody cares about me don't go see their movie" -- and asked for money to make a competing project.

As you can see in the series of videos Bam posted, which have since been deleted, things took a very serious turn when he talked about previously having suicidal thoughts. He said things got so bad ... his wife, Nikki Boyd, found him online searching how to tie a noose. At one point in one of the videos ... he appears to almost throw up.

Bam, who in the past has struggled with substance abuse, said 'Jackass' put him through hell for a year and a half ... and he claims he was forced to take anti-depressant pills while filming past projects. He says he found happiness again after moving to San Diego and getting off those meds.

Now, it's highly relevant that Bam admitted to chugging a glass of wine and 7 beers before posting these videos, he said he found it ironic he couldn't be in "Jackass" because he claims he was told he was being a jackass on TMZ. He also referred to himself as a villain.

"It wasn't a good wreck."

That's Karl-Anthony Towns opening up about the car crash that left him hospitalized before the NBA season ... revealing he's lucky to be alive.

The Minnesota Timberwolves star has still not revealed the exact date and location of the crash -- but opened up about the incident with reporters on Wednesday night.

KAT says he was going to visit his girlfriend, Jordyn Woods, at a photo shoot during the NBA offseason when a drunk driver slammed into him out of nowhere.

"I was 2 minutes from the shoot on a cliff ... drunk driver comes drifting fast as hell. It's 2 PM in the afternoon and ya know, it just happened. It was not a good wreck."

The NBA star says he was rushed to the hospital where he went through a battery of tests ... but was more concerned that he damaged his GF's car, which he was driving at the time of the wreck.

"The way I am ... even as how I felt, and the injuries I sustained and stuff like that, I was more worried that I messed up her car."

"That was just how my mindset always is. I just always wanna try to make sure everyone else is okay and I didn't wanna mess up her car."

He added, "I survived, I'm happy I was alive. I had to do what I had to do get monitored, tested all that stuff and she was right there with me."

Karl-Anthony went on to praise Woods as a strong woman who had made him a better man ... especially with all of the turmoil he's gone through over the past year, which included his mother and several other family members dying from COVID.

Bruce Springsteen is in the middle of a DWI case after he was busted in his home state ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the Boss was arrested on November 14 at Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook, NJ. Springsteen was cited for DWI, reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a closed area. He'll have a court appearance coming in the next few weeks.

We're told the rock icon was cooperative throughout the arrest. As far as we can tell, this is his first arrest for DWI.

The DWI news comes on the heels of a different first for Bruce -- he was featured in his first-ever commercial on Super Bowl Sunday for Jeep. The 2-minute ad featured Bruce in an unspecified middle America type town ... offering his patriotic vision and a message of hope.

We've reached out to Springsteen's camp for comment, but no word back yet.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Malik Beasley was just sentenced to 120 days in jail -- and banned from owning guns for life -- this after he pled guilty to felony threats for pointing a firearm at a family during a bizarre incident back in September.

Prosecutors in Hennepin County, Minn. say Beasley's Plymouth house was accidentally put on a "Parade of Homes" list in the fall -- which is essentially a tourist guide for impressive mansions in the area. The list caused vehicle traffic around Beasley's home to increase -- which really pissed him off, prosecutors say.

Officials say on Sept. 26, Beasley got so frustrated that he walked toward a visiting car that was near the end of his driveway and pointed a gun at it. Prosecutors say he then ordered the family inside the ride to scram.

24-year-old Beasley -- who cops say was also in possession of marijuana at the time -- was later arrested ... and ultimately charged with felony threats of violence and felony drug possession.

At a virtual court hearing back in December, Beasley pled guilty to the threats charge ... and in exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop the drug charge.

At the hearing, Beasley said of his actions, "I was not in my right mind. I’m ready to move on."

Beasley returned to virtual court on Tuesday for sentencing ... and the judge ordered him to spend 120 days at a jail facility known as "The Workhouse" at Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility.

As part of the sentencing, the judge ruled Beasley will NOT have to serve the time during the NBA season ... setting a tentative May 26 date to report to the jail.

The judge also said Beasley could end up being released on electronic home monitoring if COVID-19 precautions force that move.

Beasley was also ordered to complete an anger management program and was hit with a lifetime ban on owning firearms. Beasley was also ordered to not consume any alcohol or drugs, and complete random drug testing.

Prosecutors say Beasley read a statement at the hearing, telling the court, "I am not that person. I humbly apologize for my actions."

In a statement to NBA reporter Shams Charania, Beasley's attorney, Steve Haney, said, "We are very pleased with this outcome that will allow Malik to continue working on becoming a better person and making better choices."

Washington State Cougars star QB Jayden De Laura has been suspended from the football team indefinitely ... this, after the freshman was arrested for DUI over the weekend.

TMZ Sports has confirmed ... JDL was pulled over around 2 AM on February 6 ... after a police officer claims he blew a stop sign before heading the wrong way down a 1-way street.

During the stop, cops claim De Laura reeked of alcohol ... so they conducted a field sobriety test, which didn't go so well for Jayden.

The football player was ultimately arrested and transported to a local station where he was booked for DUI.

Once De Laura arrived to the station, officials say he was given the opportunity to take a breathalyzer test, but declined.

The QB received a criminal citation for driving under the influence and 2 traffic infractions -- wrong way on a 1-way and another for 'no driver's license on person.'

Cops noted De Laura was cooperative throughout the incident.

The teenage son of Dr. Laura Berman -- the famous sex therapist on Oprah Winfrey's TV network -- has died after what sounds like an accidental drug overdose.

Dr. Berman made the announcement Sunday, saying her 16-year-old Samuel had recently passed away after what she describes as a shady drug deal on Snapchat ... which apparently led to her boy getting fentanyl-laced Xanax pills.

She writes, "Sheltering at home. A drug dealer connected with him on Snapchat and gave him fentinyl laced Xanax and he overdosed in his room." Dr. Berman says dealers lace their stuff with fentanyl because it hooks their buyers, but it can obviously kill people too if too much is taken ... as we've come to realize in recent years.

Her post goes on ... "My heart is completely shattered and I am not sure how to keep breathing. I post this now only so that not one more kid dies." Dr. Berman explains that, yes, she and her family watched Samuel closely, and that he was a straight-A student.

Still, one experiment with prescription pills went wrong ... and cost him his life. Sounds like this happened right under his parents' noses too -- she says the drugs were delivered to their house while they were quarantining ... and warns parents to monitor Snapchat heavily.

Dr. Berman's had her own program on OWN for almost a decade now -- not to mention a number of books she's written, and a radio show she hosts as well. She has 2 other boys, who are close in age to Samuel.

K.C. Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid -- son of head coach Andy Reid -- reportedly told cops he consumed alcohol and Rx medication before a bad 3-car crash Thursday night that left a 5-year-old in critical condition.

It's all spelled out in a search warrant obtained by KCTV ... in which officers say the 35-year-old reeked of booze and had bloodshot eyes in the moments after the accident.

According to the warrant, Reid ADMITTED to officers he had consumed 2 to 3 drinks earlier in the evening and was on Adderall, a prescription medication.

As part of the investigation, cops say they took 4 vials of blood from Reid to test his blood alcohol levels.

Plus, they note Red did not perform well on field sobriety tests.

Officials confirm the crash occurred around 9 PM -- just minutes from Arrowhead Stadium.

As for the crash, officials believe Reid was driving a pickup truck that slammed into 2 cars that were pulled over on the side of an on-ramp to the I-435 highway.

One of the cars had reportedly run out of gas and had called for another vehicle to assist -- when Reid's truck came crashing into both vehicles.

A 5-year-old in one of the vehicles sustained critical injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.

A 4-year-old child was also in one of the vehicles but miraculously suffered only minor injuries.

The Chiefs released a statement Friday ... saying, "The organization has been made aware of a multi-vehicle accident involving Outside Linebackers Coach, Britt Reid."

"We are in the process of gathering information, and we will have no further comment at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved."

The Chiefs are preparing to play the Tampa Bay Bucs in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

The Chicago Sun-Times is now reporting Britt is NOT expected to travel with the team to Tampa Bay for the game.

Britt spent several months in jail in 2007 following multiple disturbing allegations -- including a road rage incident and crashing his truck in a parking lot while under the influence, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Andy Reid's oldest son, Garrett, also had issues with substance abuse -- he was sentenced to 23 months behind bars for a 2007 crash while he was high on heroin.

Garrett struggled with addiction for years and ultimately died of a heroin overdose in 2012 while in his room at the Philadelphia Eagles training camp, while his father was coaching the team.

A Virginia state senator is making a big stink about the perils of marijuana as her state's legalizing it ... but she's getting laughed out of the digital building over it.

State Senator Amanda Chase tweeted Friday that mortality rates and overdoses in Virginia were sky-high ... apparently all due to marijuana. She didn't cite a source for that info, but went on to plug her gubernatorial run in a stand against legalization.

She writes, "We have a drug problem in Virginia, and legalizing marijuana will only lead to more marijuana overdoses and deaths. Democrats want more marijuana deaths. As your governor I would never allow marijuana to be legalized."

Her lofty claims about weed came the same day the Virginia legislature passed a bill to legalize ganja for use and sale starting in 2023. It's heading to incumbent Governor Ralph Northam's desk next week, and he's already indicated he'll sign it into law.

Again, we don't know where State Senator Chase is getting her alleged overdose stats -- but a lot of folks online aren't buying what she's selling. The jokes started flying at her expense, with folks saying they overdosed on weed ... and were forced to eat as a result.

One guy wrote, "I once overdosed on the marijuana and it took 6 cupcakes and a bag of pistachio nuts to bring me back from the brink. I still get munchies. #survivor."

Tons of others were on the same tip. Here's the thing though ... weed can apparently kill a person. We looked into it, and according to studies by the National Institutes of Health's NCBI -- which tracks this type of stuff in the U.S. -- marijuana has been linked to deaths ... although the numbers are hazy.

Scientists say ingesting too much -- as in edibles -- in one sitting can cause overdoses/death, especially in kids. Other deaths are related to the effects of marijuana ... for instance, car crashes or work accidents.

But, again, these instances are rare, and those stats wouldn't be relevant to the alleged marijuana scourge happening in Virginia ... according to Chase, anyway.