A Born-Again Bruiser

Last year, Steve Broussard resurrected his football career with the Seattle Seahawks. In the off-season, the former Washington State Cougar did something more important: He resurrected his life.

Broussard, a record-setting kickoff returner and vital backup to All-Pro running back Chris Warren, says he’s a new man, mainly because he didn’t like the old Broussard.

While hesitant to fully detail his off-season trials and tribulations, Broussard nonetheless makes it clear that his previous way of life was self-destructive.

Since his college days in Pullman, he’s always carried the nickname “Bruiser”, but “Brew-ser” might have been more appropriate. Years of excessive drinking had begun to impact himself, his family and football, Broussard said, and changes were necessary.

The biggest change, however, has been spiritual.

“As far as a new life, the new life I have is when I became saved,” Broussard said. “That’s where my life lies. Since I’ve been saved I found out that football isn’t the end result. It’s been a life-changing experience for me in the right way.”

Whereas Broussard once partied with teammates, he now attends the Seahawks’ Tuesday chapel service. Other times during the week, several Seahawks, Broussard included, meet to pray, talk and learn more about their faith.

Some teammates have been stunned by the “new” Broussard.

“With the change, it’s like, ‘Woah, Steve, you used to hang out, go drinking, be wild,”’ said Broussard, lounging on a bench outside the chow hall at the Seahawks training facility. “I don’t have those desires anymore.”

Broussard declines to say whether he required treatment to control his drinking.

“Things went on, drinking too much, partying too much, doing the wrong things, away from my family too much,” he said. “It’s like, what’s the purpose staying up drinking, playing video games. Why do I have to do this? I can have the same amount of fun without drinking. It just hit me one day.”

That day was about six months ago. As he relays some of his experiences, his serene voice reflects a seeming inner peace.

“I was a big drinker in college, as anybody would say, and I got into trouble behind it,” Broussard said. “So how do I take care of this problem? By turning it over to somebody higher because I’ve tried to quit (drinking) many times. Oh, I’d stop for a couple of days, then the craving would come back and I’d be right back drinking.

“I’ve never had a DUI or anything like that. But I look back on all the times I drove drunk trying to realize how I made it home. Through the grace of God.”

By curbing his drinking, Broussard believes he’s in the best condition of his career, mentally and physically. He just hasn’t been able to show it because of a balky hamstring he injured just before training camp.

Before last season, Broussard’s NFL career was facing fourth-down-and-long. Broussard, Atlanta’s first-round draft pick in 1990, never saw eye-to-eye with then-coach Jerry Glanville. He moved on to Cincinnati in 1994 as a part-time starter, but was released after suffering a spinal injury and concussion late in the season.

He considered signing with Birmingham in the CFL until his former college coach, Dennis Erickson, called. Erickson, handed the Seahawks reigns in 1995, liked Broussard’s versatility and the 5-foot-7, 201-pounder was signed to backup Warren.

Broussard didn’t disappoint, chalking up 222 rushing yards and averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He set a new Seahawks record by averaging 24.7 yards per kickoff return.

Broussard returned only a handful of kicks at WSU, then later at Atlanta and Cincinnati.

“I wanted to get the ball in my hands someway and this was one of the ways,” said Broussard, rewarded for his efforts with a two-year contract that will pay him $255,000 this season and $365,000 next year.

He admits, though, that he wasn’t initially enthusiastic about being the object of 11 crazed kickoff-coverage players’ desires.

“You grow up seeing the horror stories on kickoffs and that played a little part of it, but I had to get over that and have faith in the 10 guys blocking in front of me,” Broussard said. “I like it now and look forward to it.”

In that regard, football imitates life.

“I’m a new person, born again, as they would say. I have my struggle days, but I’ve really been blessed every day,” he said, smiling a well-earned smile. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo