Falcons' Mathis Admits Addiction

Atlanta Falcons WR Terance Mathis chose this week, of all weeks, to admit to an alcohol addiction, which was threatening to ruin his life as a husband and a new father.

Call it true confessions. Call it cathartic. But almost as quickly as Mathis brought it up, he told reporters that he didn't want to talk about it anymore.

"I'm at peace with myself," Mathis said at Tuesday's Super Bowl XXXIII Media Day. "I won't tell you I haven't had a beer or two in the last couple of days. But yesterday was a good day for me. I didn't have a drink ... or even a desire."

Mathis, who had a team-high 13 TD catches among his 75 receptions for 1,280 yards this season, made news Sunday night when he spoke out against coach Dan Reeves' decision to allow Pro Bowlers and 10-year-or-more veterans to deplane ahead of the rest of team upon its arrival here.

The next night, Mathis went public about his drinking problem.

"I don't think I will have that desire (to drink) anymore," Mathis said Tuesday. "I really feel that the closest that any alcohol is going to come to my lips this week, it will be dripping down my face from being poured over it (in celebration)."

Then just like that, he added, "Now I'm not going to talk about it anymore."

The nine-year pro chose instead to talk about his wife of 18 months, Arnedia, and their 2½-week-old daughter, Terae, and how they have become the focus in his life now.

Mathis, 31, grew up in Stone Mountain, Ga., and learned responsibility at a very young age. He raised his two sisters while his mother worked to keep the family together. Young Terance would get his sisters dressed and off to school, then personally would make sure they returned home safely at night.

Now he's taking care of himself. And at the Super Bowl, he has let us all know.

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