Thirty years after the death of two sons, Len Bias' mother's mission is to save the lives of young people.
Dr. Lonise Bias, the mother of the late University of Maryland basketball star Len Bias, is photographed Thursday, June 15, 2006 in Washington D.C. Dr. Bias has waged a war on drugs every since her son died of a cocaine overdose two days after being chosen No. 2 in the NBA draft by the Boston Celtics on June 19, 1986. Dr. Bias works approximately six months out of each year traveling the lecture circuits speaking on the dangers of drug abuse.
(AP Photo / Matt Houston)
AP Photo / Matt Houston
Len Bias wears a Boston Celtics hat after being selected as the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft in New York, June 17, 1986. Two days later, on June 19, Bias died of a cocaine overdose in a Maryland dormitory room during a party to celebrate his success. Bias’ death changed the way the nation perceived cocaine, shattered the Celtics’ dream of remaining among the NBA’s elite and sent the Maryland athletic program into a tailspin that lasted nearly a decade. When he completed his extraordinary basketball career at the University of Maryland, the only question surrounding Len Bias was whether he would dominate the NBA in the same fashion he ruled the Atlantic Coast Conference. Twenty years later, many still wonder
(AP Photo/File)
AP Photo/File
Boston Celtics draft pick Len Bias is shown at the Celtics draft table in New York in this file photo from June 17, 1986. Two days after being selected by the Boston Celtics as the No.2 pick in the 1986 NBA draft Bias died of cocaine intoxication.
(AP Photo/files)
AP Photo/files
The cream of the collegiate basketball crop gets together for a class photo at the NBA draft in New York, June 17, 1986. Seated, from left to right are: Chuck Person, Chris Washburn, Johnny Dawkins, Len Bias and John Salley. Back row, from left, are: Kenny Walker, Dwayne Washington, John Williams, Roy Tarpley, William Bedford and Brad Daugherty.
(AP Photo/Richard Drew)
AP Photo/Richard Drew
Len Bias poses with Boston Celtics’ coach, K.C. Jones in Boston, June 17, 1986.
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
In this undated photograph provided by the family former University of Maryland basketball star Len Bias poses in his college uniform. Two days after being selected by the Boston Celtics as the No. 2 pick in the 1986 NBA draft Bias died of cocaine intoxication .When he completed his extraordinary basketball career at the University of Maryland, the only question surrounding Len Bias was whether he would dominate the NBA in the same fashion he ruled the Atlantic Coast Conference. Twenty years later, many still wonder.
(AP Photo/Bias Family)
AP Photo/Bias Family
University of Maryland’s Len Bias slams home a dunk at the Omni in Atlanta, Ga., March 7, 1985 as the Terrapins prepare for the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament game against Duke.
(AP Photo/Bob Jordan)
AP Photo/Bob Jordan
Len Bias(34) of Maryland goes up as Armon Gillian(35) of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas goes down during action of the Western Regional NCAA Championship series in Long Beach Sunday. The Rebels of UNLV won the contest 70-64.
(AP PHOTO ROD BOREN)
AP PHOTO ROD BOREN
Boston Celtics’ president Arnold “Red” Auerbach, right, presents a team jersey to Len Bias’ father James Bias during a tribute to the late basketball star at College Park, June 24, 1986. Bias, who was headed for a pro career in Boston, died in his University of Maryland dormitory Thursday.
(AP Photo/Bill Smith)
AP Photo/Bill Smith
The parents of Len Bias, Lonise and James Bias, return to their Landover, Maryland, home after making funeral arrangements for their son, June 20, 1986. Len Bias, a University of Maryland basketball star, died of an apparent heart attack on the campus on Thursday.
(AP Photo/Bill Smith)
AP Photo/Bill Smith
Sonya Cradle holds a poem she wrote in memory of her friend Len Bias, college basketball, during a wake for Bias at a church Sunday evening on June 22, 1986 in Washington. Bias died of an apparent heart attack in his University of Maryland dormitory Thursday.
(AP photo/Tom Reed)
AP photo/Tom Reed
Friends gather outside the Pilgrim A.M.E. Church in Washington, June 22, 1986, for college basketball star Len Bias’ wake. Bias, who was headed for a pro career with the Boston Celtics, died of cardiac arrest in this Univerity of Maryland dormitory on Thursday.
(AP Photo/Tom Reed)
AP Photo/Tom Reed
James Bias, Jr., right, brother of Len Bias, is comforted by his father James Bias and the Rev. Jesse Jackson after a private funeral service for the college basketball star at the University of Maryland, June 23, 1986. Bias died of a heart attack on Thursday.
(AP Photo/Bill Smith)
Washington – It has been 30 years since the death of Len Bias, one of the University of Maryland’s greatest basketball stars.
It was June 1986. Len Bias was 22 and had just been drafted by the Boston Celtics when he died from “cocaine intoxication.”
His mother Dr. Lonise Bias said she remembers it as being an exciting time. Her son just had been drafted into the NBA.
But the nightmare started when she received a phone call that her son was dead. “We don’t realize we are in the good life, that is until the nightmare comes.” Bias said.
She thought her life could not get any worse. But it did, it got a whole lot worse.
She lost a second son. “Forty-two months later after Len’s death, Jay dies. I’m ready to throw in the towel,” she said in an interview with NBC4.
At the time she thought she would never see light again in her life. She was shrouded in complete darkness. But she says her family is one of faith and it is her faith that got her through.
“You just don’t wake up and gather up strength after going through such tragedies,” she said.
Her mission then became clear and that mission is to save the lives of young people.
As a community activist and motivational speaker her message is one of hope, lifting up young people, empowering them and helping them navigate through life.
“Out of the deaths of my two sons came a mission. That’s why I stand here today clothed in my right mind,” Bias said.
