Former Ohio State Star Art Schlichter, Notorious Betting Figure, Released From Prison

“Could you please rephrase this sentence?”

Art Schlichter, a conditionally free man, is a name that has become infamous in the world of sports betting. His story serves as a warning to athletes everywhere. According to records from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction, former Ohio State star quarterback Art Schlichter was released from state prison in Ohio on June 14.

He has been placed under the supervision of the Adult Parole Authority for a period of five years due to his involvement in crimes connected to compulsive gambling and financial fraud, as directed by the department.

According to official records, Schlichter’s place of residence during parole supervision was found to be in Franklin County, which is situated in Columbus, the home of OSU.

In addition to being a prominent player for the University of Michigan’s greatest football adversary, Art Schlichter has further connections to Michigan. He led the Detroit Drive to victory in the Arena Football League championship in 1990 as their quarterback.

After overcoming his gambling addiction, Schlichter made an impressive comeback in his NFL career. He proved his worth by winning the league MVP title while leading the Drive to their third consecutive championship in the AFL. Schlichter’s presence on the team made him the most renowned player ever to grace the Drive’s roster.

Art Schlichter served more than nine years in prison

Schlichter had been diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s disease while serving time in a federal prison in Colorado, according to the Indianapolis Star. As his release approached last year, he exchanged emails with the news outlet.

The Franklin County prosecutor informed the Star that despite being in prison, he continued to place bets through women outside using telephone connections. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Schlichter was released from the Federal Correctional Institute in Florence, Colo., on Aug. 18 of the previous year.

According to Ohio records, Schlichter was incarcerated in Trumbull Correctional Institution in northeast Ohio near Warren on October 2nd of the previous year. He was sentenced to over eight months in jail as a result of his involvement in a fraudulent scheme. In this scheme, he accepted millions of dollars in exchange for event tickets that he ultimately failed to deliver.

At the age of 61, Schlichter was sentenced to federal prison in May 2012 for a duration of 11 years. Prior to this, he had already served a 10-year sentence in an Indiana prison for crimes associated with gambling. Following his release, he embarked on a mission against casinos and the gambling industry, which he documented in his book titled “Busted,” shedding light on his personal battles and experiences.

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NFL hopes dashed by compulsive gambling

In his tenure at the Ohio State Buckeyes, Art Schlichter served as a starting player for four consecutive years, playing under the guidance of coach Woody Hayes. Throughout his college football career, he engaged in fierce battles against rival Michigan, achieving a balanced record of 2 wins and 2 losses. Notably, Schlichter’s exceptional performances earned him considerable recognition, as he secured fourth, sixth, and fifth places in the Heisman Trophy voting during his last three years in Columbus.

Despite his ongoing gambling troubles, he managed to play for the Baltimore Colts as the No. 4 draft pick. His NFL career, though short-lived, spanned three seasons with the Colts, two of which occurred after the team relocated to Indianapolis.

However, in 1983, the NFL’s then-commissioner Pete Rozelle imposed the league’s first gambling suspension in twenty years on Schlichter. This was not the first time such action had been taken, as back in 1963, both Alex Karras of the Detroit Lions and Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers were also forced to sit out the entire season due to gambling. It’s worth noting that despite their suspensions, both Karras and Hornung went on to achieve remarkable careers and were eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Schlichter, unable to make a comeback due to his compulsive gambling, would not experience any such resurgence.

Expert: Athletes more at-risk for compulsive gambling

This year, Keith Whyte, the executive director of the National Council of Problem Gambling, informed PlayColorado that student athletes face a greater susceptibility to problem gambling.

Former Michigan wide receiver Amani Toomer, who has served as a spokesperson for the GVC Foundation, is raising the same concern. He has been instrumental in educating athletes about the potential risks associated with gambling during their careers.

If you are a resident of Michigan and struggling with problem gambling, please reach out to the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-270-7117.

Can you please rephrase this?