Was supposed to be a really nice guy. Juiced like crazy although its questionable whether that contributed to his cancer diagnosis.
If you want to read a really good book about Alzado and the Raiders of the early 80's era, read You're ok, it's just a bruise written by one of the team doctors of the Raiders at the time. Medical treatment back then was way more fast and loose than it is now and cost a lot of players their future health.
you could start with this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Okay-Its-Just-Bruise/dp/0312136277
Where to start....
You're OK It's Just a Bruise - A Doctor's Sideline Secrets About Pro Football's Most Outrageous Team by Rob Huizenga. As a team doctor for the Raiders during the 80s, Huizenga has access to Al Davis, Howie Long, Lyle Alzado, and others. Another in a long line of books that shows player medical treatment is poor.
Interference: How Organized Crime Influences Professional Football by Dan Moldea. Eye opening stuff about the connections between the owners and the mafia. It raises suspicions on rigged games in the history of the NFL and also goes into the gambling connections.
Bringing the Heat by Mark Bowden. A great book about the Eagles of the early 90s. It goes into the lack of injury treatment, follows Reggie White and Buddy Ryan, and touches on Jerome Brown's death and it's impact to the team.
Boys Will Be Boys: The Glory Days and Party Nights of the Dallas Cowboys Dynasty by Jeff Pearlman. I grew up hating the 90s Cowboys, but it was nice to read about the inside of that team. The book goes into the personalities, the Jones-Johnson clash, the Irvin - McIver stabbing, and the cocaine houses.
The Dark Side of the Game by Tim Green. Another great book that goes into detail about drug tests, injuries, treatment, and everything that goes on in an NFL locker room. One of my favorites.
Happy to Be Alive by Darryl Stingley. This is an autobiography of receiver Darryl Stingley chronicling his life before and after the paralyzing hit by Jack Tatum.
Meat on a Hoof by Gary Shaw. It talks about college football at UT in the 70s. The treatment of the players was pretty shocking to read. This is one you can find cheaper in a used bookstore.
Not at all. Are you at all familiar with the Oakland ownership? They based a movie off their childish history and immoral business practices, “any given Sunday”.
Or read a book by their team doctor. https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Okay-Its-Just-Bruise/dp/0312136277