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Sportshour: The King of Pain

Discussion & Talk

painkillers.jpg

03/06/2017 GMT

The King of Pain

BBC World Service - Sportshour, The King of Pain

Former Miami Dolphins tight end Dan Johnson tells us he has taken more painkillers than any other player in the history of the game, he took so many he earned the nickname “King of Pain”. He played in the 1984 Superbowl, catching a touchdown pass from the great Dan Marino, but the effects of a career on painkillers left him bed ridden for many years. Things got so bad that he considered suicide, Dan tells us that despite the problems he suffered he still finds it hard to say that it wasn’t worth it. We’re also joined by Jiri Dvorak, FIFA’s former Chief Medical officer and File on 4’s Beth McLeod who has been investigating the effects of painkillers in sport

The Legend of Nello Ferrara
The Stanley Cup is ongoing at the moment, but Nello Ferrara doesn’t need to win ice hockey’s biggest prize to become famous. Ferrara lied his way to a 10 year professional career, he posed as his own agent “Nelli Lechance” to convince teams to sign him and snuck into the training sessions of an NHL team in the hope of being signed.

The Rainbow Player
Anton Hysen became the first active footballer to come out as gay when he announced his sexuality to the world in 2011. When he did so he encouraged more gay players to follow his example, but he remains the only man to come out and continue playing.  Hysen tells us that the new novel ‘The Rainbow Player’ could help gay footballers feel comfortable enough to come out in future. We also hear from David Kerby-Kendall who is the author of the book. His novel is about a young, talented player whose career goes off the rails because he fears the reception he’d get if and when his sexuality is revealed. 

Petra Kvitova Return

Petra Kvitova made her comeback at the French Open less than six months after she was attacked and stabbed during a home invasion. Anthony Crolla knows exactly how Kvitova feels, he confronted intruders at his neighbour’s house in 2014, they escaped after smashing a concrete slab over his head. Crolla came back to become the light heavyweight champion of the world, he tells his story and offers his advice to Kvitova as she continues her recovery.

Cofveve – a sporting term?
After  President Donald Trump left the planet scratching their heads over the meaning of his tweet which included the word “cofveve” this week, BBC World Service broadcasters Lee James, Hugh Ferris and Mani Djazmi give their suggestions as to what it could mean in a sporting context.

Photo: Painkillers Credit Getty Images

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