Ron Solt knew steroids and opioids were part of the game when he joined the NFL.
Ron Solt, a football guard who played for the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles in the mid-1980s and early 1990s, admitted using anabolic steroids during his time as a professional football player. But it was the injuries and repeated concussions caused by the sport itself that resulted in the most long-term damage.
Solt was officially diagnosed with 6 or 7 concussions although he suspects he suffered at least 20 concussion during his football career. The 56-year old currently suffers from severe short-term memory loss as a result.
In retrospect, Solt was reluctant to express any regrets about the things he did to succeed in the NFL. This included the regular use of anabolic steroids and narcotic pain pills such as Vicodin, Percocet and Tylenol No. 4 with Codeine. The pain pills led to a drug addiction that persisted after his retirement from the NFL.
Ron Solt refused to “moan and bitch” about the brain damage and the drug addiction that followed his football career.
Solt knew what he was signing up and would have done it again. He much preferred playing pro football than the blue-collar jobs available to him working in a northeast Pennsylvania coal mine or a shoe factory in Wilkes-Barre like everyone else he grew up with.
Solt recounted his days as an NFL player to reporter Bob Kravitz with The Athletic. Solt “paid a price” but he knew exactly what he was getting into when he “signed up for that”.
“I hope the teams I played for know I put out for them. I paid a price, but I’m not going to moan and bitch about it. It’s part of the game. My lawyer doesn’t want me to say that, but you sign up for that. Like the military, you’re in the foxhole, bullets are flying over your head. … Hey, you signed up for that.’’
As far as steroids were concerned, Solt saw nothing wrong with using the muscle-building drugs. He was eager to use anything that made him “bigger, faster and stronger” especially if all of the other players were using it.
“I’m doing all that stuff (steroids and opioids), I’m not thinking it’s wrong, I’m thinking I’ve got to play next week. I’m thinking I’ve got Howie Long next week. If me and you are competing for the same position and you’re doing something that’s making you bigger, faster and stronger, I’m taking some of that. You’d better believe it.’’
However, Solt did attribute one regrettable incident to what was described as “steroid rage”. Solt said he was prepared to shoot teammate Andre Waters following an altercation during a team practice. Solt was convinced Waters levelled several cheap shots during the practice. Fortunately, Waters had left the practice facility before Solt returned with a gun.
Solt is big on another drug product nowadays. He is the regional distributor for Hemp Health Labs. Solt manufactures cannabidiol (CBD) industrial hemp extract products. CBD contains a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid that allegedly offers a variety of health benefits for consumers.
Solt credits CBD for helping him manage pain and avoid being wheelchair-bound following his NFL career. He has undergone a total of 14 surgeries as a result of football. Solt is currently on disability.
Solt’s 19-year old son, Ryan Solt is a 6-foot-2-inch 290-pound offensive lineman that plays for the University of Albany Great Danes football team.
Kravitz: From steroids to salvation, former NFL player Ron Solt uses CBD to return from the brink of ruin https://t.co/lA9Vw5a5fK
— Bob Kravitz (@bkravitz) January 2, 2019