Former Maryland basketball coach Lefty Driesell recruited and coached a promising young player by the name of Len Bias. As you may know, Bias was selected by the Boston Celtics with the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. He died two days later from a heart attack that was caused by a cocaine overdose.
During a recent interview with ESPN 980’s Kevin Sheehan and Thom Loverro, the 81-year-old coaching legend discussed what a shame it is that bad decisions resulted in Bias’ life ending at such a young age. That led to a conversation about talented young stars who passed away too early because of drugs, such as Marilyn Monroe. Then things got a little weird.
“I mean, she’s still a famous movie star, and was my favorite movie star at the time. In fact, I’ll tell you a little secret,” Driesell said according to Dan Steinberg of DC Sports Bog. “She used to sleep naked, right? And I always slept with pajamas, until I fell in love with Marilyn. So now, I still sleep naked. And my grandchildren come in there and say, ‘Granddaddy, how come you don’t wear pajamas?’ I say because Marilyn Monroe never did. They don’t know who Marilyn Monroe was. And I can’t stand sleeping with pajamas on anymore.”
How’s that for a visual? I know old people have a tendency to get sidetracked in the middle of conversations, but Driesell took things to an entirely new level. Good for him.
