49ers Alex Boone Avoids Temptation by Not Leaving Hotel Room

There are plenty of temptations for guys in their early 20s, just out of college, and suddenly wealthy. Actually, you don't have to be recently graduated or rich, just in your 20s. But it's only news when professional athletes get in trouble.

Like, for example, former Ohio State offensive lineman Alex Boone, who was expecting to hear his name called on draft weekend in late April until, well, he got drunk off his ass and lost his mind.

Boone, at the behest of his agent, was living in Southern California to work out and prepare for the NFL scouting combine. But on Feb. 1, he was arrested by Aliso Viejo police after they answered a disturbance call at an apartment complex. They discovered a 6-foot-8, 318-pound man jumping up and down on the hoods of cars and attempting to smash the window of a tow truck.

It gets worse. Boone had to be Tasered twice and his blood alcohol level was .24. Nearly three months later, he would go undrafted before signing a free-agent contract with the 49ers. But Boone understands that this could be his last chance at playing in the NFL and is paying more than lip service to that reality. While some players might suggest such an experience had changed their perspective, Boone is living it. In his hotel room.

That's right, after practice, he retires to his room and doesn't leave. For anything.

"I just don't go out," Boone says. "That limits the opportunity to be around alcohol. When I met with somebody about all this, they were like, 'You're a smart kid. So you know what to do.' " ...

Except it can't be that easy. Can it? A person can only watch so many episodes of "House," which is Boone's favorite show. He also likes going to the movies. But he has no car. His girlfriend is back home, preparing for her senior year at Ohio State. "Right now," Boone tells me, "I'm just worried about practicing and getting on the team. You're right. It is hard. But the truth is, most of life is hard. You just think positively and get through it and things get better."

I give Boone credit. It's one thing to say you've changed, it's another thing to actually do it, despite the sacrifice. (Plus, at 6-8, 318, a hotel room probably feels more like a dog crate.) Now here's to hoping he makes the team.