Ted Williams Heads to Rehab After a Week of Fame

By Jett Wells Posted Jan 12th 2011 05:29PM

It was only a week ago when America fell in love overnight with a homeless man with a "golden voice" on the streets of Columbus, Ohio. It was less than a week ago when we all watched Ted Williams life miraculously turn around after reuniting with his mother and finding work -- high profile work with Kraft and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Unfortunately for Williams, 53, old habits always die hard. According to a confirmed report by Gossip Cop, Dr. Phil convinced Williams to go to rehab after he got into a fiery exchange with his daughter Janey on Monday.

Gossip Cop spoke with a representative for Dr. Phil, whom Williams taped two segments with over the weekend. On the program, Williams admits to still drinking; his daughter accused him of sticking to the bottle on Monday.

While shooting the two segments, Williams and his family were reportedly kept separate in two hotels. The first episode was an introduction to Dr. Phil and the second episode, which aired on Wednesday, featured the family reunion.

In an interview with 'Entertainment Tonight,' Williams described a family gathering that devolved into a shouting match between him and daughter Janey.

"I wanted to bring it to a close by just saying 'shut the hell up and let me talk to your mother,'" Williams said. "When that was said out of my mouth, my daughter exploded ... fists started flying, none of which were mine, none of which were mine, but it could have escalated to the point where it could have gotten really ugly. So in the process of doing that, I got scratched on my face."

But Janey had a different story to tell, claiming the argument began because her estranged father, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, had been drinking heavily since being plucked from obscurity.

"He has consumed at least a bottle of Grey Goose a night. That's not including the Coronas he ordered, that's not including the Budweisers he ordered, the other alcohol, the wines. He drinks heavily," she said.

Ted Williams denied he's been drinking, but admitted to CBS News on Friday that his sudden rise to fame has been a challenge. "I wanted a nerve pill yesterday, to be honest with you."

Life coach and radio host Mel Robbins tells PopEater that Williams' feel-good story was doomed from the moment it became clear the media was going to latch onto him and not let go.

"The media created a reality show right in front of our eyes," she says. "Ted Williams may have a golden voice, but he's also got a rap sheet, a drug addiction, nine children he abandoned and a mother he has been estranged from for 20 years. Does everyone deserve a second chance, sure. But don't kid yourself -- you can't overcome a lifetime of bad decisions and mental health issues with a few morning show appearances."

"If Ted is ever going to get better, he's got to be honest with himself and admit he's addicted to drugs and alcohol," Dr. Phil said. "I've told him it's not going to be easy and it's going to take a lot of hard work. It might be a long journey for him, but this is a big step in the right direction."

Tags: Ted Williams

Comments

(138)

Thursday 13 January

By Patty

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I agree his family wants to hang on now cause they want money and they probably came out of the woodworks! when he was on the streets they probably couldnt have cared less about him and now they want him to give them money instead confronting the real issues after all they are grown women and men so they should just stand back and let him get the help that he needs God Bless Him

Wednesday 12 January

By forkuu

Vote down Vote up Report this

you dont make any sense. why should your experience be the norm? it isnt and you are wrong this guy could have been drinking allalong . his daughter doesnt have anything to gain infact her father owes years of child support now that he has a job a lot of that can be paid . and jap you are blind . stop putting your own parental issues into this . this guys mother has seen this guy lie abandon his family and a lot more she knew he is full of shxt .
only idiots like you dont want to see that this man is Trouble with a capital T . perhaps with dr phil behind him he will make it . but i have strong doubts other wise i 'm with his daughter ..

By ralph

Bug-
Just because your hubby is an alcoholic- YOU still do not understand alcoholism. This guy COULD be drinking and get away with it. Control freak codependents think THEY are experts at noticing the signs?? Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha.

By Michelle

I agree with everything you've said and would like to say that Dr. Phil is exploiting this man for ratings. If anyone should know better, it should be the so called doctor who claims to have treated others with similar problems. You can not put an addict in the public eye and expect them to function under added pressure. He (Dr. Phil) was also attempting to help another celebrity until her family called him out.

By syl

And Michael Vick can throw a football - is HE forgiven and can make millions again in the NFL??? After all, it was a way of life where he came from! More Bull-s**t but you guys eat it up! What a hypocrite you are!

Saturday 29 January

By darrell eason

I am so please about the things you have said. I am a former alcoholic, pill popper, morphine addict, and many others. I can tell you from experience, there is no way in hell he could drink that much, and still function in front of a camera, I don't care how well he can hold his liquor. He daughter in my opinion, lacks character, and is dubious at best.

By ShrinkGirl

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

The first time I saw TW on TV, I said to my partner, "That guy has no chance unless he goes to treatment and gets in therapy." My partner said I was cynical. Not really. Just realistic and been there. Fairy tale endings only have one drawback: they are fantasy. We wish they were true. But they aren't. Shame on the media. They made this guy, and his family, victims. Again.

By shirleyA

The only way Ted Williams is going to get better is stay
away from Dr Phil. Dr Phil is aways ready to jump into
someones tragic life and make it worse. Whatever this
guy has done is his problem, let the man deside for himself
when he is ready to get help.

By robin

I agree,does Dr. Phil even have a degree?? I knew this was going to happen to this man named Ted..America's sweetheart and hero then be trashed on overnight,really sad...

By fishingking

Dr. Phil needs to go back into Ophra's toilet.

By drrntod

Dr. Phil has a legitimate Ph.D. in clinical psychology, despite his actions to the contrary...

By pamigirl

Leave him alone...this would all be to much for anyone to handle..give him a break...and as for his kids ...Get over it we have all been hurt somehow,...dont look behind you look to the future....and for Ted...Your where you are because God has his hands on you...he will continue to be there!!!

By goatcars2

We left him alone and he became a drug addict, thief and deadbeat father. Wake up and smell the coffee !!!!!

By michael

So much talent. What a waste. I knew a guy who could actually dismantle a guitar with raw talent. It was unreal like this guy. But, he was such a bad alcoholic people would actually buy him drinks to get him to play for them. The worse thing that he needed. HOPE the rehab works Ted. I will be praying for you buddy!! If Ted gets through rehab...best thing to do for him is to pay someone to follow him around and keep his money out of his hands.

By D

Alcohol and drugs don't cause problems with family, family causes problems with alcohol and drugs.My family, biological are freaking jerks.Bad people.I was sickest when they were around.If they are hurting you , you don't owe them anything especially life and sobriety.Keep away from them.This guy was better off on the street.The minute his family got involved..the poor guy is under Dr.Phils care

By Bettina

Where did you get that analogy that family causes the problems and therefore you drink. This man had a high paying job at one time and some celebrity and it caused his decline. I dont think its normal to take to the streets and live, once your on the street you never get off. This man had an opportunity and if he didnt go to rehab, he would be back on the streets in one week and his name would never be heard from again.
Yes, I know Dr. Phil wants to stay alive on TV, but I think if he experienced a few weeks of being sober, Ted might like it.

By New York

Sounds like an excuse. Drug addicts are real good at excuses & blaming others. Speak for yourself.

By Mary Jane Perez Cornielle

ADDICTION is HELL, but RECOVERY is HEAVEN. What Ted Williams needs is DETOXIFICATION and a long term REHABILITATION. The family if they want can attend ALANON meetings. Ted Williams has to be a very ACTIVE PARTICIPANT in his RECOVERY. It is my understanding Dr. Phill is going to help him in this process. I wish TED WILLIAMS the BEST on his ROAD TO REVOERY!

By K

I am already sick of this guy. I hope he changes, but I doubt it. Watching the show, he didnt seem to really care to much about family. He never sad he was sorry or asked them to forgive... He said he would by her an expensive purse. What?? he'll be on the Dr. Drew Rehab show.. just wait.

By Mike

He looks way different from his playing days with the red sox.

Page 2 of 7