Former NFL player John Corker beats drug addiction

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FORT WORTH, Texas, July 18 (UPI) -- Former NFL linebacker John Corker has overcome a cocaine addiction and now works as a Fort Worth, Texas, city bus driver and a Salvation Army volunteer.

Corker, 53, overcame a cocaine addiction he acquired while playing professional football in the NFL and USFL with the help of the Salvation Army and now volunteers there and drives a bus in Fort Worth, the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram reported.

Corker was an All-American linebacker at Oklahoma State University and finished his college career as the school's all-time leading tackler. He played for the Houston Oilers and the Green Bay Packers in the NFL, the Michigan Panthers of the USFL and the Arena Football League while feeding his cocaine addiction.

"I was probably smoking $1,200 (worth of cocaine) a day and playing pro football at the same time," Corker said. "How my heart didn't burst, I can't tell you that."

Corker went to the Salvation Army, cured his drug addiction and got a job driving buses. He also cares for his 4-year-old daughter, Alexis, and shares his life story at public schools and other organizations.

"I'm not perfect, but I thank God I'm not where I used to be," Corker said.