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Art Schlichter, a conditionally free man, is known as one of the most infamous figures in sports betting history. His story serves as a warning for athletes worldwide. According to records from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction, Schlichter, the former star quarterback of Ohio State, was released from state prison in Ohio on June 14.
He has been placed on Adult Parole Authority, under the supervision of the department, for a period of five years due to his involvement in crimes connected to compulsive gambling and financial fraud.
According to records, Schlichter was listed as a resident in Franklin County, where OSU is located in Columbus, during his parole supervision.
In addition to being a notable figure for the University of Michigan’s primary football competitor, Art Schlichter boasts further connections to the state of Michigan. He successfully led the Detroit Drive to clinch the Arena Football League championship in 1990 as their quarterback.
Schlichter, once derailed by his gambling addiction, made an incredible comeback in his NFL career. He earned the prestigious league MVP title while leading the Drive to yet another triumph in the AFL, securing their third consecutive championship. Schlichter’s presence on the team marked a significant milestone, as he became the most renowned player to ever grace the Drive roster.
Art Schlichter served more than nine years in prison
During the approach of his release from a federal prison in Colorado, Schlichter corresponded with the Indianapolis Star through email last year. The Star revealed that during his incarceration, Schlichter had received a diagnosis of dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
According to the Franklin County prosecutor, it was revealed that even while in prison in Colorado, Schlichter was continuing to place bets through women on the outside using telephone. The Federal Bureau of Prisons reports that Schlichter was released from the Federal Correctional Institute in Florence, Colo. on August 18th of the previous year.
According to Ohio records, Schlichter was incarcerated at Trumbull Correctional Institution in northeast Ohio near Warren on October 2nd of the previous year. He was sentenced to over eight months in jail for a fraudulent scheme in which he accepted millions of dollars in exchange for event tickets that he failed to provide.
At the age of 61, Schlichter found himself imprisoned in a federal facility in May 2012, serving a sentence of 11 years. Prior to this, he had already spent a decade behind bars in an Indiana prison for crimes associated with gambling. However, upon his release, he embarked on a passionate mission against casinos and the gambling industry. In fact, he even authored a book titled “Busted,” where he shared his personal battles and hardships.
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In his time at Ohio State University, Art Schlichter played as the starting quarterback for four consecutive years under the guidance of coach Woody Hayes. Throughout his career, he achieved a balanced record of 2 wins and 2 losses against their fierce rivals, Michigan. Notably, Schlichter secured commendable placements in the Heisman Trophy voting during his last three years in Columbus, finishing fourth, sixth, and fifth consecutively.
Despite his ongoing gambling troubles, he managed to play for the Baltimore Colts as the No. 4 draft pick. He persevered through his short NFL career, even following the team’s move to Indianapolis, playing for parts of three seasons.
Pete Rozelle, the then-commissioner of the NFL, imposed the league’s first gambling suspension in 20 years on Schlichter in 1983. It is worth noting that prior to this, Alex Karras from the Detroit Lions and Paul Hornung from the Green Bay Packers had been prohibited from playing during the 1963 season due to similar reasons. Nevertheless, both Karras and Hornung managed to continue their successful careers and were eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Schlichter, unable to make a comeback due to his compulsive gambling, would not experience a similar 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 vulnerability to problem gambling.
Former Michigan wide receiver Amani Toomer, who has served as a spokesperson for the GVC Foundation, is also addressing this concern. He has been actively involved in educating athletes about the potential risks of gambling in their professional lives.
If you are a resident of Michigan struggling with problem gambling, please reach out to the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-270-7117.
