Another OW Great w/ Drinking Problem

[joe]

http://msn.espn.go.com/rpm/2002/0824/1422284.html

[BigWheelHawaii]

I was never a big Mear's fan,,, I guess because he drove for Penske...

I knew he was a brave and talented man...

After reading that,,, I am a bigger Mear's fan now,,, then when he was driving... Smart man...

Sorry to hear about this divorce,,, that's a killer... I think he will be just fine...

[R_Mears_Fan]

I'm glad he recognized it before it got worse. Too bad Chris left him. The alcohol might have something to do with it. Keep strong Rick!

[Jimbo7]

My favorite driver of all time. Doesn't change a thing for me today. Takes a real man to admit he had a problem. I never liked boos, go figure, instead...woofing.

[Mackie]

race drivers are human beings as well, subject to all the same problems and weakness we all are. I am addicted to Coca Cola, it makes me heavier then I would be and causes stomach problems, I have quit 100's of times, once for three years, I'm am back it now and paying the price.

[SAVATS]

This almost brought me to tears.

Chris took me inside Rick's trailer last year when CART ran at Nazareth for the last time. It was so surreal it seems like it didn't happen. They always seemed so happy together. Man this sucks. It's like watching a TV sit com where the family was so perfect, like Diff'rent Strokes, and then later learning that the cast wasn't so perfect after all. I feel like hunting Rick down and giving him a big hug telling him I love him as my boyhood hero dearly and not to worry because I will do everything I can to help him.

I feel like my security blanket was stolen. I wonder how long Rick "liked his beer".

I remember Rick drinking a Miller in victory circle at Indy in 1988 and at the age of 18 I thought to myself "Well, THAT was a little weird to see..."

Maybe there was more to that than I wanted to think there was...

I love you, Rick. No matter what happens. And I'll be praying for you. I hope that you and Chris can work things out if it wasn't too bad...

[Indyfan4ever]

WOW!.....

This was a blind hit.

Sure, i realize he is human ( though some day's i wondered if there was an "S" under his driving suit), but he is the last one i would have thought this wouldv'e happened.

I think it's great he could recognize his problem, before it got out of hand.

I have also noticed, i haven't seen him around in penske's pit's lately. ( i know he did some spotting for Gil) this answer's why.

My all time favorite racing hero has a problem, but, like a true champ, he is taking care of it.

I was very sorry to read about Chris, hope that work's itself out.

I'm still standing behind him, rooting him on, good luck Rick, and God bless.

Almost 10 year's later, i still miss seeing him run.

Now he is in a different race, and i have all the confidence in the world of the "oval master".

Better day's are ahead.

Hope this last visit is the last.
I'll be keeping my eye's open on this, and hoping and rooting him to get over this. Best wishes from a HUGE,and forever Rick Mear's fan.


Tj

[tedt]

Rick's drinking might have had something to do with his divorce?

Wake up, guys. When we keep our heads buried in the sand, it's called denial.

[Indyfan4ever]

Posted by Tedt:"Wake up, guys. When we keep our heads buried in the sand, it's called denial."

I read the article, did you?.
He realized he had a problem, and went ON HIS OWN, and got help, before it got out of hand, unlike another Indy champ.

There seem's to be little denial.

Tj

[tedt]

IndyFan,

Please.

The denial is on the part of readers who don't realize the depth of Rick's problem.

The article's all spin. Open your eyes and read between the lines.

His first marriage ended in divorce.
His beautiful wife of ~20 years is gone.
He checked into treatment.
One month later, he checked into treatment for a second time. He just got out, meaning this was long-term residential treatment.

Nobody, I mean nooobody, does this because he was drinking too many milkshakes. Or because he just one day decided he didn't want a beer-drinking problem to get out of hand.

Really think about it for a minute.

[ August 24, 2002: Message edited by: tedt ]

[Indyfan4ever]

Tedt please,

[Micki]

My Ex-Father in law was in very much pain for many years from an ailment which fused his vertibrae together. I knew he drank, but didn't know how heavily.

He was self medicating. Drinking Vodka all day long in his diet squirt. You would have NEVER known. He still was a very successful business man, always on the top of his game.

He fell on ice and broke his neck. While he was lying in a coma at the hospital he went through the DT's. That's the only reason we knew.

That kind of constant pain can do that to you. Scary and Sad.

Good luck Rick. I wish you the absolute best.

[Truth Detector]

Rick Mears remains the nicest racecar driver I ever had the good fortune to meet.

Good luck, Rick.

Ted? Lighten up.

[Joe Baiza]

Originally posted by tedt:
<STRONG>IndyFan,

Please.

The denial is on the part of readers who don't realize the depth of Rick's problem.

The article's all spin. Open your eyes and read between the lines.....

Nobody, I mean nooobody, does this because he was drinking too many milkshakes. </STRONG>

I don't think anyone is disputing any facts here and you're the one who brought up milkshakes!??!

Yes he's got a problem ... a drinking problem ... that's pretty clear. If the article is too softball for you, why beat up Indyfan for it? Maybe it would be better to take it up with the Star.

Just a suggestion.

[Railbird]

Rick Mears is cool, he will survive and thrive. This just makes me respect him all the more.

Good man