Tag Archives: admitted steroid user

CFL, NFL

Boston, David

Card: Topps 2002
Acquired: Future Considerations, 2016

At Ohio State, Boston was head and shoulders above the competition. He set school records as a receiver, and his 1998 was among the best single season marks in Buckeye history (85 catches, 1435 yards and 13 TDs.  After 3 years at Ohio State, Boston decided to declare for the 1999 NFL draft.  The 1999 draft was pretty star studded.  David was the second receiver taken off the board overall (behind Torry Holt) with the 8th pick overall by the Arizona Cardinals.

After a not so convincing rookie season (40 receptions, 473 yards, 2 TDs in 8 starts), David really took off in 2000. He put up 71 receptions for 1156 yards and 7 TDs. He followed his second season in the NFL with a dominant 2001 campaign earning his only probowl and All-Pro Nomination with 98 receptions for 1598 yards and 8 TDs. He’d be the second youngest receiver ever to break the 1,500 yard plateau. Before he could continue his career march towards stardom further, he blew out his knee after 8 games. The tragedy of it is, that David has really worked on becoming not only more disciplined as a player with his routes, but also disciplined mentally- not drawing the unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and the self-destructive behavior that plagued him early in his career. It was also a contract year…

Arizona couldn’t match San Diego’s offer to David Boston- who had become so lean and mean looking, he should’ve been playing tight end or linebacker instead of wide receiver. The guy was a walking 8 pack with 21-inch biceps! The Chargers deal was a mega contract at $47 million over 7 years.  Who knows why things didn’t workout in San Diego, but the Chargers jettisoned him just after one season (70 catches for 900 yards, and 7 TDs) in 2003. It has been rumored that the Chargers didn’t like David’s work ethic or his attitude- but regardless, he was traded to the Dolphins in 2004, in the midst of a spate of legal issues.

Boston was ready for a clean start in Miami, but then was suspended for 4 games because of steroids, and soon thereafter he tore some knee ligaments ending his season.  He returned to play briefly in 2005, but tore his knee ligaments again. In 2006 he joined the Buccaneers, however before the season began he was arrested for a DUI and GHB. Tampa quickly cut him.  David attempted to resurrect his career in 2008 in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts, but a stress fracture in his foot ended his career after just one game.

Lance hit up a boat show from what I remember and David Boston along with a few other random players were at this event. I had always wanted Boston on a card or two. His history as a physical specimen and his subsequent burnout of the league has always fascinated me.

G/GS 75/61    REC  315     YDS  4699    AVG  14.9    TD 25    LG 70T

CFL

Kulka, Glenn ‘The Kulkster’

Card: All World CFL 1991
Acquired: TTM 1992, C/o the CFL

To say the least Glenn Kulka has had a controversial and colorful career. A mouthy player who never had a problem speaking his mind, Kulka was quite an athlete, not only playing gridiron football but also in hockey and professional wrestling. Nicknamed, “the Kulkster”, Kulka has amazing upper body strength and constitution, once bench pressing an amazing 225 pounds a record 53 repetitions. Glenn initially played minor league hockey, and based on his amazing athleticism was signed as an offensive lineman by the Edmonton Eskimos in 1986. Glenn wouldn’t really find his position of calling in football till he signed with the Ottawa Rough Riders who converted him from a linebacker to a  defensive end. In 1991 he was named a CFL All Star.  Unfortunately in 1992 Kulka was busted for cocaine possession but he turned this into a positive by serving as the league’s spokesperson against drug use.

After a meeting with Bret “The Hitman” Hart in 1995, Glenn would decide to pursue a career in pro wrestling and started transitioning out of gridiron football.  He’d continue wrestling working his way up the minors reaching the apex of his career wrestling from the WWE in 1999. He’d go on to wrestle in a variety of leagues after leaving the WWE, and retired briefly from the sport in 2000.  Later Kulka admitted to rampant steroid abuse that he started when he was with the Rough Riders and throughout his career in wrestling.  In retrospect Kulka has felt that he has lived a blessed life.  Glenn since retirement has enjoyed a variety of interests and business pursuits including car dealership and gym ownership, CFL commentary, some more wrestling, and as a theater performer.  As the master sportsman Kulka hasn’t finished his life in sports and has started pursuing a career in MMA. He also speaks out regularly against drug and steroid usage.

This card was part of the blitz of CFL players that I received when I mailed out to the CFL after they announced expansion plans. It is an error card as Glenn’s name reads as ‘Glen’ on the card.