Courtesy Des Moines Register

(January 28, 2009) The University of Iowa has put its search for a football radio analyst on hold after Ed Podolak confirmed he will seek treatment.

The reason for the treatment is not indicated, but it is apparently alcohol-related.

Podolak had announced he had retired after pictures at Iowa's recent bowl trip showed Podolak looking down a woman's blouse at a Tampa, Fla., bar. In another, Podolak clearly appeared intoxicated.

The Des Moines Register first reported Jan. 10 that Iowa athletic director Gary Barta had seen the photos, indicated he was "deeply disappointed" and would discuss them with Podolak and Learfield Sports Communications, which employs Hawkeye sports broadcasters.

Podolak, 61, had worked on Iowa football broadcasts for 27 years before it was announced he would retire the following week.

A morning press release this morning quotes Podolak:

"After considerable deliberation with my family and close friends, I’ve decided to seek professional treatment. Over the last few months the people closest to me in life have convinced me that treatment is in my best interest.

“The unbelievable outpouring of concern and love from Iowa fans everywhere has also had a big impact on my decision. I’ll always be a Hawkeye, but their prayers and well wishes have made this decision much easier.

“I continue to ask for the prayers and thoughts of all Iowa fans as I undertake this journey. My hope is that treatment will make me a better husband and father and a better person to my friends.”

Barta initially did not link the retirement to that incident — or Podolak’s 1997 public intoxication charge — and said “it was Eddie’s decision” to step away.

Podolak, the former Hawkeye quarterback and running back, as well as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs' Hall of Fame, said in a previous statement issued by Iowa that he decided to retire to focus on his real estate business in northern California.

The press release today did not explain why Podolak’s treatment placed the radio hiring decision on hold or why rehabilitation would affect his retirement or initial decision to focus on his business.

In 1997, Iowa City police charged Podolak with public intoxication and interference with official acts after campus police found him sleeping in the grass on the University of Iowa Pentacrest.

At the time of that arrest, a blood test found he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.23 — nearly three times the level at which a person is considered intoxicated under current Iowa law.

Iowa officials said at the time of the 1997 incident that another arrest on similar charges could prompt them to dismiss Podolak.

Podolak was not cited or charged with a crime in Tampa, Fla., related to the three pictures posted on an Iowa State fan Web site, but Barta acknowledged the he and Podolak discussed the images.

In a previous statement, Podolak did not leave the door open to a return to Iowa’s broadcast booth: "My multiyear contract with Learfield has expired, and I will be 62 this year, so it seems like a good time for a younger ex-Hawk to fill the spot. I have been wrestling with retirement through last fall as I have relocated my real estate business to northern California. The resulting commute to the Midwest each weekend has been challenging. I wish the Hawkeyes the best, and will attend as many games as my schedule allows."

Podolak acknowledged that the pictures were authentic in a previous interview with The Register.

"I am embarrassed by the pictures," he said. "It was late in the evening at the hotel. But I am responsible to represent the university and I am embarrassed by my actions."

Barta had the following statement, released by the university:

"I wholeheartedly support Ed in his decision to enter treatment. He will be in my thoughts and prayers. We'll all be cheering for him. The number one priority is his health.

"I talked with Ed over the weekend, and he sounded positive and focused about his decision. He did not officially indicate he will be coming out of retirement, but in light of this recent development, I've spoken with Learfield and we have put the search for his replacement on hold.

"From Iowa fans everywhere, good luck, Ed!"

The Register contacted the woman believed to be in the pictures, but she has declined to confirm or deny her involvement.

Podolak recently had been discussed nationally for his on-field exploits, when San Diego running back Darren Sproles threatened to break his NFL record for total yards in a playoff game.

Sproles compiled 328 all-purpose yards — just 22 short of Podolak's record of 350, set in 1971 for the Chiefs during a double-overtime loss to Miami.