Former Ohio State quarterback charged again with drug offenses

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former Ohio State University quarterback Art Schlichter, who struggled with drug and gambling addictions since his playing days in the late 1970s, has been charged with another drug offense.

Franklin County Common Pleas Court records show Schlichter, 64, of Columbus, was charged Friday with drug possession, a fifth-degree felony. The charge was filed after Schlichter was reportedly caught with crack pipes in his pockets in February.

Schlichter was arrested in Columbus after a police officer found cocaine in his car, court records show. Schlichter handed the crack pipes to the officer, records show. Officers also found cocaine and other drug paraphernalia, records show.

Schlichter has a long criminal history. Most recently, a Franklin County judge sentenced the 63-year-old to one year of probation in September for cocaine possession. The charges were brought after Schlichter was found unconscious in a hotel in June 2022.

Schlichter played for Ohio State from 1978 to 1981, throwing for 7,547 yards and 50 touchdowns in 48 games. He was a two-time All-Big Ten quarterback and was selected by the Colts fourth overall in the 1982 NFL Draft.

He only played 13 games in the NFL because he was banned several times for gambling.

Schlichter was released from federal prison on parole in June 2021 after serving a nine-year sentence on federal fraud charges. He served time in prison for his role in a scheme in which he promised prospective buyers tickets to college and NFL football games but never delivered them.