1. Overview
Lyle Martin Alzado (1949-1992) was an American professional American football player, actor, and boxer, widely recognized for his intense and intimidating style as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). His career spanned 15 years, during which he was a three-time All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowl selection, culminating in a Super Bowl XVIII championship with the Los Angeles Raiders. Alzado was known by nicknames such as "Rainbow" and "Three-Mile Lyle." He is also notable as one of the first major American sports figures to publicly admit to using anabolic steroids, a confession he tragically linked to his fatal brain cancer. His candid and impactful revelations significantly shaped public discourse on performance-enhancing drugs and athlete health, highlighting the severe public health implications of steroid abuse and leaving a lasting legacy on the discussion of integrity and well-being in professional sports.
2. Early life and background
Lyle Alzado's early life was marked by his diverse heritage and formative experiences, including his family's relocation and the challenging absence of his father. These experiences are believed to have deeply influenced his later aggressive playing style.
2.1. Childhood and family
Lyle Martin Alzado was born on April 3, 1949, in Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York. His father, Maurice, was of Italian and Spanish descent, while his mother, Martha Sokolow Alzado, had a Russian family background and was Jewish. Alzado himself followed Judaism. When he was 10 years old, his family relocated to Cedarhurst on Long Island. During Alzado's sophomore year at Lawrence High School, his father, whom Alzado described as "a drinker and street fighter," left the family, impacting his formative years.
2.2. Education and amateur boxing
After graduating from high school, Alzado did not receive a college scholarship offer for football. He consequently enrolled at Kilgore College, a community college in Kilgore, Texas. After two years, he was asked to leave the team, later stating it was due to befriending a Black teammate. He then transferred to Yankton College in South Dakota. Yankton College is now defunct, with its former campus serving as a prison.
Despite playing in relative obscurity in the NAIA, Alzado gained recognition from the NFL under unusual circumstances. Denver Broncos coach and scout Stan Jones, experiencing automobile trouble, decided to spend time at nearby Montana Tech, one of Yankton's opponents. While Montana Tech's coaches were showcasing films of their star running back Don Heater, Jones was profoundly impressed by the unknown defensive lineman Alzado, who consistently dominated Montana Tech's offense. Jones conveyed a favorable report back to the Broncos, leading to Alzado's selection in the fourth round of the 1971 NFL draft. After his rookie season, Alzado returned to Yankton to complete his studies, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education with an emphasis on secondary education. During his college years, Alzado also pursued amateur boxing, reaching the semi-finals of the 1969 Midwest Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament held in Omaha.
3. Football career
Lyle Alzado's professional football career was characterized by his intense play, significant team contributions, and a notable Super Bowl victory. He spent his NFL tenure with three different teams, leaving a distinct mark on each.
3.1. Denver Broncos
Alzado's professional career began with the Denver Broncos in 1971. When the Broncos' starting right defensive end, Rich Jackson, suffered an injury, Alzado stepped into the role and quickly made an impact, recording 60 tackles and 8 sacks, earning him spots on various All-Rookie teams. In his second year, 1972, Alzado's national profile grew as he amassed 91 tackles and 10.5 sacks. In 1973, he contributed to the Broncos achieving their first winning record in franchise history, going 7-5-2.
By 1974, Alzado was recognized as one of the NFL's top defensive ends, alongside legends like Elvin Bethea, Jack Youngblood, and Carl Eller, with 13 sacks and 80 tackles (eight for a loss). The Broncos secured their second consecutive winning season at 7-6-1. The 1975 season saw Alzado transition to defensive tackle, where he continued to perform strongly with 91 tackles and 7 sacks, though the team's record dipped to 6-8.
A significant setback occurred at the start of the 1976 season when Alzado suffered a severe knee injury, causing him to miss the entire campaign. Despite the Broncos finishing 9-5, a reported dissatisfaction among players, including Alzado, regarding coach John Ralston led to his replacement by Red Miller for the 1977 season. Under Miller and with their formidable "Orange Crush" defense, the 1977 season became the most successful in franchise history up to that point. The team went 12-2, beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders in the playoffs, and reached Super Bowl XII. Quarterback Craig Morton, who won the Comeback Player of the Year award that season, adapted his play to minimize risky long passes, learning to endure sacks, which helped the team. In Super Bowl XII, played in New Orleans, Alzado recorded one sack, but the Broncos ultimately lost to the Dallas Cowboys 27-10. Despite the loss, Alzado's individual performance was stellar, earning him consensus All-Pro and All-AFC honors, and the UPI AFC Defensive Player of the Year award. He led the Broncos with 8 sacks and contributed 80 tackles.
In 1978, the Broncos again made the AFC playoffs but lost their rematch against the eventual champion Steelers in the first round. Alzado finished the season with 77 tackles and 9 sacks and recorded his first NFL safety. He would record two more safeties in his career, tying him for second place all-time in that category. He was named second-team All-Pro and a consensus All-AFC selection. In 1979, a contract dispute led to his trade to the Cleveland Browns. Over his eight seasons with the Broncos, Alzado accumulated 64.5 sacks.
3.2. Cleveland Browns
In 1979, Alzado joined the Cleveland Browns as a defensive end, earning second-team All-AFC honors with 80 tackles and 7 sacks. The following year, 1980, the Browns clinched the AFC Central division title, but their playoff run ended in the Divisional round against the Los Angeles Raiders. Alzado was a standout performer, leading the team with 9 sacks and earning both All-Pro and All-AFC selections.
By 1981, despite recording 83 tackles and leading the Browns in sacks again with 8.5, Alzado faced challenges due to injuries and personal issues. The team's performance declined significantly, from an 11-5 record in 1980 to 5-11 in 1981. This downturn, combined with his personal struggles, led the Browns to trade him to the Oakland Raiders in 1982 in exchange for an eighth-round draft pick. This trade was perceived as an abrupt dismissal by Alzado, fueling his determination for a resurgence.
3.3. Los Angeles Raiders
Being "discarded" by the Cleveland Browns ignited a fierce resolve in Alzado, prompting him to train with renewed intensity. By the time he joined the Raiders, the team had relocated to Los Angeles. In the strike-shortened 1982 season, Alzado delivered a dominant performance, earning him the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. He also recorded 7 sacks and 30 tackles, earning an All-AFC selection, marking his sixth post-season honor in 12 seasons.
In the 1983 season, Alzado played a pivotal role in leading the Raiders to a Super Bowl XVIII victory. He recorded 50 tackles and 7.5 sacks, starting at right end opposite the future Hall of Famer Howie Long. In the playoffs, during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Alzado notably overpowered left tackle Tunch Ilkin, contributing 2.5 sacks to secure the victory. In Super Bowl XVIII, in the closing moments of the first half, Alzado obstructed Joe Washington's screen pass attempt, enabling Jack Squirek to intercept the ball and return it for a touchdown. While Washington controversially claimed a holding penalty should have been called, the play stood, and the Raiders won the game 38-9. Alzado was seen shedding tears of joy on the sideline as the victory was secured.
Alzado continued his strong performance in 1984, with 63 tackles and 6 sacks, and was nominated as one of five candidates for the NFL Man of the Year award. In 1985, he recorded a fumble recovery touchdown against the New England Patriots on September 29. However, his tackle and sack totals declined to 31 and 3, respectively, following a mid-season injury.
3.4. Post-retirement activities and comeback attempt
Lyle Alzado initially retired at the end of the 1985 NFL season. Over his 196 career games, he accumulated 112 sacks, 24 forced fumbles, and nearly 1,000 tackles, earning Pro Bowl honors in both 1977 and 1978.
After his retirement from playing, Alzado transitioned into a role as a part-time color analyst for NBC's NFL coverage during the 1988-1989 seasons. In 1990, he attempted a comeback to the NFL, seeking to rejoin professional football. However, his comeback bid was cut short when he suffered a knee injury during training camp and was subsequently released by the team.
4. Playing style and controversies
Lyle Alzado was renowned for his distinctive and often aggressive playing style, which was characterized by an intense physicality and a combative demeanor. This fiery approach occasionally led to controversies and even influenced changes in league rules.
ESPN famously described Alzado as a "violent, combative player known for his short temper." One notable incident involved him throwing an opponent's helmet, which directly led the league to institute a rule specifically prohibiting such actions.
His brother, Peter Alzado, later provided insight into the psychological origins of Lyle's unremittingly fierce style of play, tracing it back to their challenging youth. He explained that their childhood was marked by an absent, alcoholic father and an overworked mother, creating a "crucible" that shaped Alzado's temperament. Peter Alzado stated, "That violence that you saw on the field was not real stuff. Lyle used football as a way of expressing his anger at the world and at the way he grew up."
This perspective suggests that his on-field aggression was a manifestation of deep-seated emotional turmoil rather than pure maliciousness. Teammate Greg Townsend, a defensive end, described Alzado's ferocity as part of a "split personality," highlighting a stark contrast between his on-field persona and his off-field character. Townsend recalled, "Off the field, he was the gentle giant: so caring, so warm, so giving." This dichotomy was also observed by Marcus Allen, who noted that despite his rough fighting style, Alzado shed tears of joy on the sideline as the Los Angeles Raiders' victory in Super Bowl XVIII became certain. Alzado himself famously said, "Anyone who says football is fun is a liar. The field is a battlefield. Anyone who says it's fun to go to war is a liar." This quote reflects his view of football as a brutal struggle rather than a mere game.
5. Outside football
Beyond his distinguished professional football career, Lyle Alzado engaged in a variety of activities, including acting, boxing, and extensive community service.
5.1. Acting career
Alzado successfully transitioned into an acting career, appearing in both films and television productions. He frequently took on roles in youth-oriented comedies and adventure films, often portraying tough or villainous characters.
His most notable film roles include the menacing bully construction worker in Ernest Goes to Camp (1987) and the relentless killer in Destroyer (1988). He also appeared as a notorious bodyguard and rifleman in Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All (1989), and played prison staff member Brawn in the 1990 film Club Fed. Alzado co-starred in other films such as Oceans of Fire (1986), The Highwayman (1987), Double McGuffin (1979), The Super Powers Proposal (1990), Neon City (1991), The Kremlin Commandos (1991), and Firefall (1991). He was also featured in archival footage as himself in The Truth About Superheroes (2008).
On television, Alzado was featured in several mid-1980s commercials for Sports Illustrated, comically struggling to deliver lines correctly with a character named "Jack." He played himself in the 1985 Amazing Stories episode "Remote Control Man" and a 1988 episode of Small Wonder. In 1989, he made a guest appearance on The Super Mario Bros. Super Show. Alzado starred in the sitcom Learning the Ropes, portraying a high school teacher with a secret alter ego as a professional wrestler known as "the Masked Maniac," appearing alongside various NWA Wrestling stars. He also appeared in the series premiere of the short-lived 1991 sitcom Good Sports, which starred Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett, and made guest appearances on It's Garry Shandling's Show and MacGyver.
5.2. Boxing and community involvement
Beyond his football career and acting, Alzado maintained an interest in boxing, having been an amateur boxer in his youth. In 1979, he participated in a high-profile exhibition match against legendary boxer Muhammad Ali at Mile High Stadium in Denver.
Alzado was also deeply committed to community service, engaging with "countless youth organizations." His dedication was recognized in 1977 when he received the Byron "Whizzer" White award for community service. Furthermore, Alzado actively participated in anti-drug campaigns, notably appearing in Stop the Madness, a 1985 anti-drug music video sponsored by the Reagan administration. This involvement underscored his commitment to public health and youth well-being.
6. Health issues and death
Lyle Alzado's health struggles, particularly his battle with brain cancer, became a significant public health issue following his candid admission of long-term anabolic steroid use. His decision to publicly link his illness to steroid abuse brought unprecedented attention to the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs and their potential long-term consequences.
6.1. Steroid use and public admission
Lyle Alzado stands as one of the first major American sports figures to openly admit to using anabolic steroids. In the final year of his life, while battling the brain tumor that ultimately caused his death, Alzado asserted that his extensive steroid abuse was a direct cause of his fatal illness. This groundbreaking admission, coupled with his tragic diagnosis, highlighted the severe and previously under-recognized public health implications of performance-enhancing drug use in sports.
Alzado detailed his experience with steroid abuse in a powerful article published in Sports Illustrated, stating:
"I started taking anabolic steroids in 1969 and never stopped.... Now I'm sick, and I'm scared.... It was addicting, mentally addicting. Ninety percent of the athletes I know are on the stuff. We're not born to be 300 lb (300 lb) or jump 30 ft.... I became very violent on the field. Off it, too. I did things only crazy people do. Once in 1979 in Denver a guy side-swiped my car, and I chased him up and down hills through the neighborhoods. I did that a lot. I'd chase a guy, pull him out of his car, beat the hell out of him.... But look at me now. I wobble when I walk and sometimes have to hold on to somebody. You have to give me time to answer questions, because I have trouble remembering things."
He also publicly claimed that at least 75% of professional football players might have been using steroids. His statements, made as his health deteriorated, served as a stark warning. He expressed regret, noting how his hair was falling out, and voiced a profound wish that "no one else would face the same death" he was experiencing due to steroid use. Alzado's confession was a pivotal moment, forcing a wider public discussion on the ethics, health risks, and prevalence of performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports, emphasizing the mental addiction and behavioral changes associated with their use.
6.2. Brain cancer and final days
Lyle Alzado's struggle with brain cancer marked his final days. He was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer, which he adamantly attributed to his long-term abuse of anabolic steroids. His battle with the illness was widely publicized, and he used his platform to issue a dire warning about the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs.
Alzado's condition progressively worsened, leading to severe physical and cognitive impairments, including difficulty walking and memory issues, which he described in his public statements. Lyle Alzado died on May 14, 1992, at the age of 43, succumbing to the brain tumor. His death, at a relatively young age and following his powerful confessions, had a profound impact on the public perception of steroid use. His final messages, in which he directly linked his terminal illness to his steroid abuse, served as a poignant and tragic testament to the serious health risks associated with these substances. He was buried at River View Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.
7. Legacy and honors
Lyle Alzado's legacy extends beyond his formidable playing career, profoundly shaped by his courageous public admissions about steroid use and his subsequent death. His influence endures in discussions surrounding athlete health and the ethical implications of performance-enhancing drugs.
In recognition of his athletic achievements, Alzado was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. In 2018, the Professional Football Researchers Association also honored him by naming him to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2018. However, his most significant and lasting impact arguably stems from his personal struggle and public candor. Alzado's decision to directly link his brain cancer to his long-term anabolic steroid use forced a crucial, uncomfortable, and necessary conversation about the unseen consequences of such practices in professional sports. His final statements served as a powerful and tragic cautionary tale, elevating public awareness of the severe health risks and ethical dilemmas associated with performance-enhancing drugs. As a result, Alzado's life and death continue to influence policies and discussions regarding athlete welfare and anti-doping efforts in sports, highlighting the critical need for integrity and the protection of athletes' long-term health.