NOTES
Falcon receiver Terance Mathis said he has had no negative reaction to his disclosure in an Atlanta newspaper earlier this week that he had a drinking problem and sometimes drove around town while under the influence. He said he was not an alcoholic and didn’t drink heavily during the season; he said he last took a drink Monday but did not feel tempted to drink to excess.
“You’ve got to understand. The word ‘alcoholic’ has been put in the forefront. I had a drinking problem,” he said. “A drinking problem is something that’s not done every single solitary day. It’s not a craving.
“I knew once I came out with this, if I go to a restaurant and there’s a bottle of wine on the table, people would say, ‘Terance is drinking again.’ I’m telling you I had a problem. I have not had a drink for two days. . . . I went out [Tuesday], and the atmosphere was that I could have had a beer. I had a virgin pina colada.”
His drinking reached its worst point three years ago. “There were times I’d stop my car in parking lots because I didn’t think I could drive,” he said. “I’d pull up to a Waffle House and drink coffee or water until I felt OK. Since I’ve been married, my wife told me, ‘Promise me you won’t drink and drive. If you do, call me and I’ll pick you up. This isn’t about you. It’s about us.’ ”
Mathis said he quit cold turkey, with the help only of a doctor who talked him through the first, early difficulties. He revealed his problem this week to cleanse his soul and set an example for youngsters who look up to him.
“I didn’t do it for the attention. We’ve got to start by being truthful with ourselves and not try to be something I’m not,” he said. “If this is an opportunity to help someone, that’s good. Call me. Look me up.
“When you’re considered a role model, that’s something special. You don’t want to be where I was. You’re out drinking somewhere, and a kid sees you, and he or she starts to do it and is in an accident and his parents say, ‘Why did you do it?’ and he says, ‘Because Terance Mathis does it.’ I don’t want to be that kind of example. I was basically living a lie. I’d go out in the community and say, ‘Don’t do drugs and don’t drink and drive,’ but I was doing it. I’ve been at peace for two days now. I lived it, but it’s gone. I’m living for today and tomorrow.”
Mathis credited his wife, Arnedia, for helping stabilize his life. They have an infant daughter, Terae, who was born the day of the Falcons’ playoff victory over the 49ers. “She was born at 6 a.m. and we played at 12:30,” he said. “I told her, ‘You’d better have the baby before 12:25.’ I think it was supposed to happen that way.”
*
Bronco quarterback John Elway said he was surprised to hear owner Pat Bowlen was willing to take him on as a part-owner after his playing career ends.
“Mr. Bowlen and I never talked about that, so I’m very flattered,” he said. “I don’t know the business side of the NFL so I don’t know if that’s a good investment. But if I say I wouldn’t be interested, I’d be lying. I’ve always loved football and I think I’m going to have a tough time when I step down. That’s something I definitely would be interested in.”
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Elway’s list of the top quarterbacks in NFL history consists of Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas and Roger Staubach.
“Marino, with his numbers and what he’s done,” Elway said. “Unfortunately he’s never had a good enough team to win it all. Unitas kicked it off for all of us. Staubach was kind of my idol, and he won some championships.”
*
Falcon cornerback Michael Booker wouldn’t go so far as to repeat teammate Ray Buchanan’s guarantee of an Atlanta victory, but he didn’t disagree.
“If Big Play Ray says we’re going to win the Super Bowl, we’re going to win and he’s going to make the big plays,” Booker said. “If he says we’re going to do something, it’s pretty much done.”
Denver vs. Atlanta
Sunday, 3:15 p.m.
at Miami
TV: Channel 11
