Len Bias died off a cardiac arrhythmia on June 19, 1986. It’s been 23 years to the death of Leonard Kevin Bias yet ESPN aired a documentary Without Bias on November 3, 2009. The documentary is a part of ’30 for 30’ series and the occasion is network’s 30th anniversary. Nobody seems to have forgotten Len Bias as yet.

The All-American college basketball player Leonard Kevin Bias mostly known as Len Bias made headlines in the year 1986 when he died of an overdose of cocaine on June 19, just within forty-eight hours of his selection as a 1986 NBA Draft. The Boston Celtics’ 22-year-old energetic contributor Len Bias was just 22-year-old when was honored with the title and he was the only second overall NBA Draft choice by the Celtics.

Two days later Len Bias suffered a cardiac arrest (arrhythmia) caused by an overdose of cocaine that he took while at a friendly party in Washington. One of his friends present there named Brian Tribble reported the incident to police through a 911 call. Later on July 25 same year, the trial of the foremost suspects Brian Tribble, Terry Long and David Gregg was carried out.

Two of the suspects Terry Long and David Gregg who were charged with counts of possession of cocaine and obstruction of justice etc. were freed of all the counts upon their consent and desire to testify against Tribble. Then another character Kenneth Mark Fobbs (Tribble’s roommate) entered into the scene. But finally on June 3, 1987 Tribble was acquitted of all charges.

It was the time for the US Congress to come into the issue and a historical ‘The Len Bias Law’ was passed by a stricter Anti-Drug Act. A campaign against the drug-use was carried out and all concerned joined it. Len’s brother James Stanley Bias III was killed in 1990 at the age 20 and joined Len Bias at the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery.

This led to a vocal roles campaign by the parents James S. and Lonsie Bias against violence and drug-use. The couple adopted the profession of anti-drug lecturer and handgun control advocate, respectively. Similarly a Kirk Fraser film all about above issues was first promoted in the Sundance Film Festival in the year 2008 and later in June 2009. Now the documentary titled ‘Without Bias’ has been premiered on ESPN since November 3, 2009 as part of their 30 For 30 series. The documentary is to memorialize the 30th anniversary of the network.

Len Bias