For a while now the story of Jayson Williams has been one of many referenced as a cautionary tale of a star athlete losing it all due to one horrible night in which a man lost his life at his hands.
It’s been a very long road to redemption for the once All-Star NBA power forward and today he stopped by The Breakfast Club to talk about the steps he’s taken and just how shaky that path has been.
Chopping it up with Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy, Jayson opens up about his personal life, how the night of the accident derailed him personally, and why he’s mad at James Dolan for the Charles Oakley situation.
Here are the 8 things we learned from Jayson Williams on The Breakfast Club.
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Photo: Poer 105
1. Losing Family
After his NBA career fell apart due to constant injuries, all three of Jayson’s sisters died, “two of AIDS.”
2. The Shooting
Williams said that fateful night in which he accidently shot and killed his limo driver, Gus Christofi, he was showing him his gun collection and during an exchange of a few shotguns one went off.
3. Being A Coward
He doesn’t know why he tried to cover up the shooting but recognizes that he was a “coward” for doing so and apologizes to the family of Mr. Christofi and his own family. He said the accident also made him not want to make public appearances anymore. He spent 27 months in prison for the cover-up.
4. On The Rebound
To deal with his alcoholism while helping others with their own addiction, he opened up The Rebound Institute where they spend 45 days helping treat their disease. He does admit though he’s supposed to help others, they actually help him stay sober for the time they spend with him.
5. The Police Incident
That time that policed tased him, Jayson remembers drinking alcohol and taking some Zanax and “just bugged out.” When police showed up he thought they were there to rob him of the half-million dollars of jewelry he had in a safe and a “butt-naked” Jayson confronted them only to find out what a taser feels like.
6. Suicidal Thoughts
After the shooting incident in his home, Jayson began to contemplate suicide. He says he’s “doing pretty well” these days though.
7. James Dolan
What made Jayson angry about the whole James Dolan and Charles Oakley situation was the statement that Dolan put out calling Oakley out for being drunk when “[James Dolan] is a recovering something. He’s in the program.” After being put on blast we doubt he’ll be in the program anymore. Also, expect Knicks fans to GO IN now.
8. Almost A Bull
When Jayson Williams was a free agent in 1997-98 he going to sign with the Bulls but says that the psychological test kept him from winning them rings. The Bulls ended up signing Dennis Rodman. When a cross-dressing Dennis Rodman has a better psychological test score than you, man…
