Rayburn, who played for the Eagles for four seasons, said he became so addicted to prescription painkillers after he was out of football that he forged prescriptions, filled them himself, and asked Burdex and another young man in town to fill them for him.

Asked how he knew Rayburn, Burdex said: "My best friend is his brother-in-law."

Burdex and Chad McLemore were teammates on the Ninnekah High basketball team. McLemore, who just graduated, is the brother of Ashley Rayburn, Sam's wife. Brian Burdex has another year of high school.

In 2003, Burdex said, his mother signed papers giving custody of him and his sister to a family that the mother knew. He said his mother really has not been part of his life since.

Burdex said he didn't feel like part of the other family - "I didn't have any privileges," he said - and one day, he didn't have a ride home from basketball practice. Rayburn gave him a lift and, aware of his situation, asked if Burdex needed a place to stay.

"Two or three weeks later, I did," Burdex said of deciding to make the move.

Legal custody isn't an issue. Burdex turns 19 later this month. He said he appreciated being able to live with the Rayburns.

"They make sure I'm getting an education," Burdex said. Referring to Sam, Burdex said: "I've got a lot more opportunities with him, to actually be something."

"He's a good kid," Rayburn said.

One morning soon after Burdex moved in - on March 19, according to court records - Rayburn asked Burdex if he would go to a local pharmacy and get a prescription for a painkiller filled. It would be in Burdex's name.

"He was in pain," Burdex said. "I said, 'Sure.' "

Rayburn said he could tell by Burdex's expression that he didn't really want to do it. But his own addiction overwhelmed that concern, Rayburn said. He needed more pills.

"I couldn't keep up with the amount I was taking," Rayburn said.

The pharmacist said she recognized Burdex from church, wondered why he needed such a strong painkiller, and checked with the doctor, who said he didn't write the prescription. The police came immediately.

Asked if he was angry at Rayburn for the trouble this caused, Burdex simply said, "No." He let the word hang in the air, not trying to elaborate.

Did he know Rayburn had an addiction?

"I didn't think it was that bad," Burdex said. "I just thought he was in a lot of pain. I understood his knee hurt all the time."

The arrest snapped him awake from his own ordeal, Rayburn said.