ABC News Investigates the Use of Painkillers Among College Athletes

Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross Goes Inside the Athletic Training Rooms - Report Airs Thursday, January 3 on "Nightline" and "World News with Diane Sawyer"

The college sports industry is a lucrative one with television contracts, millionaire coaches, and avid fans that fill stadiums nationwide all to see star athletes giving it their all on the field, even when hurt. ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross goes inside tucked away training rooms where the drive to win has given way to team doctors using powerful prescription pain killers to get student athletes on the field despite painful injuries, all unregulated or even tracked by the NCAA.

Armond Armstead, a former starting USC player, is speaking out for the first time to ABC News. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, 290 pounds Armstead is the picture of health with no family history of heart problems, but at the age of 20 he suffered a heart attack that he claims in a lawsuit was caused by powerful pain killer shots given to get him to help get through big games despite injuries and the stated risk of heart attack on the drug's label.

The report airs Thursday, January 3 on " Nightline" at 11:35 p.m., ET on the ABC Television Network. Portions of the report will also air on " World News with Diane Sawyer" at 6:30 p.m., ET.