The Pittsburgh Steelers are no strangers to drafting promising talent, and one such talent they once had on their roster was running back Bam Morris. Morris, selected in the third round of the 1994 NFL Draft, had a promising start to his career with the Steelers. However, his time in Pittsburgh was cut short after just two seasons.

A young running back’s once-promising NFL career took a tragic turn as he became entangled with the wrong crowd and embraced a party lifestyle.

Morris burst onto the scene in Pittsburgh in the mid-’90s, making an immediate impact in the Steel City. In his two seasons with the Steelers, Morris showcased his talent by rushing for an impressive 1,395 yards and 16 touchdowns. His ability to average four yards per carry during his time in Pittsburgh was a testament to his skill and potential as a running back.

Steelers Lose Super Bowl XXX

One of the defining moments of Morris’ NFL career came in Super Bowl XXX when the Steelers faced off against the Dallas Cowboys. While the Steelers ultimately fell short, losing 27-17, Morris had a pretty solid performance. He rushed for 73 yards on 19 carries, including a crucial touchdown. Additionally, he contributed in the passing game with three receptions for 18 yards.

However, beneath the surface of his success, a troubling issue loomed. In a 2016 article by Chris Bradford, Morris revealed the personal battles he faced with partying and drugs during his NFL career. These struggles would eventually lead to the downfall of his time with the Steelers and his NFL career as a whole. Morris openly expressed deep regret for his earlier partying habits, acknowledging that he wishes he could turn back time and make better choices.

“All that partying that I used to do? I wish I could go back and change. But you can’t,” Morris ruefully admitted.

Just roughly two months following the Super Bowl loss to the Cowboys, Morris was pulled over for driving recklessly on the interstate. The police found five pounds of marijuana and a gram of cocaine on Morris.

For a young running back in the prime of his career, playing for one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, this reckless behavior raised many questions. Morris himself believes that the intense pressure and demands of professional football may have contributed to his poor decision-making.

“I think a lot of my stuff may have been controlled if the facts would have been out. I did a lot of dumb stuff, and I always thought I was crazy. I didn’t know what it was. I can think of some incidents, stuff I had done, and would ask myself after: ‘Why did I do that?’ And I knew it was wrong. My judgment was bad,” Morris reflects.

Following the end of his Steelers career, Morris fell into a deep depression. The game of football, which once meant everything to him, lost its significance. He also believes that his association with the wrong crowd during his partying days played a significant role in his downfall. Now, he is determined to provide guidance to young athletes, urging them to make better choices and avoid the pitfalls he experienced.

“My thing now is, because I’m older, and I tell my nephews and nieces this: If you’re hanging out with somebody and they’re not going in the same direction you are, you need to drop them off. Because you’re going to get in trouble. And that’s what I couldn’t do. I could never drop them off. And that’s a reason why I had to wreck.”

While Morris’ NFL career lasted just seven seasons, it is clear that he is now committed to making better decisions and being a positive influence for others. His issues with drugs eventually landed him in jail.

Addiction is a relentless adversary, and even individuals in positions of great privilege can succumb to its grasp. For Morris, escaping the wrong lifestyle and finding redemption is an ongoing journey. He aspires to set an example for those around him, demonstrating that it is possible to overcome adversity and chart a brighter future. Morris returned to Texas Tech in 2015 to complete his degree and now aspires to pursue a career in football, particularly in coaching.