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 ANNE

Vote down Vote up Report this

I thought it strange when he called his Mother, "Mommie" my kids stopped calling me Mommie when they were six years old and Williams is how old?

By nobody.com

Weird....how mom had to mentioned religion.(He (Ted) hung up the phone when she (mom) wanted to talk about GOD!! She could have waited for THAT crap!

By New York

She has been waiting for 20 years. I think that is long enough.

By Nicole

You all need to stop. He did abandon all his kids, but his past changed his future, and i'm sure he deeply regrets everything. Drinking is an addiction, like nicotine. You won't be able to stop without help. Look at where he is now instead of where he was then.

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Where is that??? He is still an alcoholic & drug addict. If he enters rehab he has half a chance. It is up to only him.

By Gordon Martin

To be perfectly honest, I would thing rehab would have been a prerequisite to returning to any responsible position in life; especially for someone with his drug and criminal history. Such things must be brought along slowly, allowing the individual time to make the drastic changes that are required; and it definitely doesn't need full media coverage. Leave the man alone, and just watch and wait.

By Ed

Ted slow down it's going to fast stay away from the media and that Azzhole Dr Phil

By Vince

Too much fame too quickly. The media and public expected a miracle.

And when his body is thawed out, in 2120, he'll do it again.

By judith warren

to much to soon I am glad to see him respond to Dr Phill and enter rehab hope it helps him and he dosen!t relapse like

By Tech

People can be so mean! The poor man is trying so hard and has been through a lot of bad times I for one pray he finds some sanity, gets off the bottle and makes peace with his family and himself and this has a happy ending. Everyone has things in their past and some have to deal with worse things than others and life isn't fair to all. God bless him, he's trying and people want him to succeed! Good for you Ted, I'm rooting for you and wish you all the best. Phooey on all the mean people the world doesn't need that, it needs a whole lot more love around.

By peggy shively

DR. PHIL IS HELPING TED DR. PHIL IS TAKING THE MONEY OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET TO PAY FOR HIS REHAP. HIS DAUGHTER IS LIEING AND IT WILL BE ON DR. PHIL SHOW TONIGHT AT 5:00 PM.
REMEMBER TED DID NOT GO TO THEM THEY CAME TO TED. GIVE THE MAN A BREAK.

By gary lubbes

Kick 'em when their up,
Kick 'em when their down.
Kick 'em when their stiff,
Kick 'em all around.

WE LOVE DIRTY LAUNDRY

By holly

Wow. I'm stunned.

By drday1

Poor man, now he has to deal with the Ambulance chasers and the insatiable fame seekers in the media. I hope he can deal with the drinking and better still the press who will make him want to drink now more than ever. It is disgusting how the media prey on people for reality TV just to later throw them away. Ted Williams has the most incredible voice. I hope he can work again and imagine him doing a character voice for an animated movie? I wish him well.

Friday 14 January

By skullcrusher

im more of a doctor than doctor phil he needs to give it up hes like an ambulance chaser anyway to get in the media

i'll drink to that ha ha ha no really i do feel for no one but my self get up or be stepped on period sad but true you get a chance you better take it and make the most of it or someone else will that is life cruel no just the way it is you do alittle dance make a little love you get down to bizz

By glennglory1

How nice of Philip McGraw...Now, when Ted has all his job offers rescinded, I'm sure Philip will hire him and pay him for the rest of his life. Right? Right?

By Gil

It is amazing how "news" is fed to the public. We have the tragedy in Arizona and the "media" seem to believe all citizens are interested in is this homeless guy with a great voice. Dr. Phil is an idiot and who cares what he thinks. This Country has more to worry about than if this guy goes into rehab or not. I REALLY wonder where the mind of people like Dr. Phil is, and how it really works (if it does). Is this REALLY what Americans care about??

By Jane

He is a drunk and will always be a drunk. Writing as a family member of drug addicts and alcoholics, they never change. When they speak, it's only what everyone wants to hear, they're masters at manipulating people.
I really loved his scene with his "momma". So dramatic for everyone. So full of BS.
Maybe Oprah fell in love with him, but I doubt America did. I didn't.

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