This was a period of more light being shined on the subject,and he became a focus of attention.
Courson played for the Steelers from 1978–1983 and retired in 1985 after two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.In 1991 he wrote a book called "False Glory: The Steve Courson Story."
I haven't read it.But I might some day.
He took a hard turn against steroid usage, and expressed regret over "Selling myself out to the system by using drugs to compete.''
Courson also developed a severe heart problem,cardiomyopathy.He didn't say he was certain the drug use was the only cause.But it's certainly possible that it contributed.He was on the heart transplant list for a time.But remarkably he exercised,and lost enough weight to be removed from it.He regained as much of his health as possible under the circumstances and became a personal trainer.
I have to give the man credit for having the incredible will to push himself to recovery.
This article from SI in early 1992 describes the difficult time after his health deterioration.
In the Aftermath of Steroids.
It does present the hard facts of the impact of steroids on Courson's health.
This is the just of the story;
"Courson gobbled steroids and kept almost 300 pounds on his . 6'1" frame so that he could ;continue, as he says, "to perform in a sport that I would have played for nothing." He knew the drug-taking was wrong and unhealthy, but everyone else was doing it, he claims, so why not? "Without naming names,"writes Courson, "I can state unequivocally that during my time in Pittsburgh 75 percent of the Steeler offensive line took anabolic-androgenic steroids at one time or another.... The fact is, our AAS usage was the same—give or take—as most NFL teams at that time.""Gobbled Steroids?" Writers love to use words like gobbled food,or guzzled soft drinks when it refers to something disapproved of.The writer must have pictured people swallowing handfuls of pills.
But yes,he clearly over loaded his body to the breaking point.
This brings up the question of people's choices,and free will.If Courson had it to do over again would he have taken steroids? Considering his love of football,and his competitiveness, I'd say he would have.Hindsight is 20/20 vision as they say.But we don't know the full consequences of our actions until after fact.At the time he played everyone around him was using AAS.It would have taken an unusual aversion to drugs to reject what was seen at the time as a helpful medicinal aid.The more negative aspects of AAS use were not as widely acknowledged.Nor the long term harms as generally known.Many doctors weren't even very familiar with athletic levels of use.
No one can shout at themselves back in time to say "don't do that!".
But he had to live with his regrets.At least the man was honest,and took responsibility.
He can be seen in this clip from his appearance before the US Senate speaking about his use.
When you take into account what we now know about Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy,Steroids may not even be the worst risk in football.
It's a hell of a sport where men bulk themselves up to bash their brains out.
That's a pretty dark way of looking at it.I just hope it's worth it to those who play in the NFL.
In the end Courson's heart didn't give out.He died at the age of 50 in an unusual accident when a tree he was cutting down fell on him.
