Stanley Wilson

Stanley Wilson was born in Los Angeles. At Banning High School he shared a backfield with Freeman McNeil and was the 4A player of the year in 1978 and 1979. At Oklahoma he was first-team All-Big Eight in 1981 and second-team in 1982. Cincinnati drafted him in the ninth round, 248th overall, in 1983, and he played mostly fullback, totaling 1,118 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Cocaine addiction derailed his career: he was suspended for the 1985 and 1987 seasons. On the eve of Super Bowl XXIII in January 1989, his position coach found him using cocaine in a hotel bathroom. The Bengals left him off the roster, and the NFL banned him for life. Coach Sam Wyche later argued that losing Wilson may have cost Cincinnati the game. The Oklahoman wrote on August 20, 1982: "Stanley Wilson, hard working fullback of three seasons and longtime campaigner for a halfback spot, finally made the move." The Oklahoman wrote on December 9, 1982: "Stopping by Barry Switzer's office, Oklahoma's youthful recruiting coordinator suggested he visit Banning High School in Carson and make a pitch for a running back named Stanley Wilson."