Tony Dorsett

Dorsett, living in the limelight, decided to take full advantage of his status as a superstar. The same explosive personality that drove him on the field also characterized his life off the field. He became notorious for his extravagant and frequent parties. He frequented the local clubs, and more than once became involved in a scuffle. He lived the high life, filled with women, alcohol, and plenty good times—a stark contrast to his aloof, all-about-business, church-going coach Tom Landry. However, by the mid-1980s Dorsett was suffering some personal and professional setbacks.

Dorsett's marriage ended in 1984, followed closely by his father's death. Then in 1985 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) came knocking, garnishing his wages and placing a lien on his two Dallas homes to satisfy more than $400,000 owed in back taxes after a tax shelter Dorsett had invested in was disallowed. Dorsett had other concurrent financial troubles. He had made numerous poor investments, costing him much of his money. Because of his wild lifestyle and unproven, but widely rumored, drug use, Dorsett secured few endorsement deals to supplement his player's pay check.