Lots of things are performance enhancers. Like work ethic.. And practice time. Yet the league as a matter of policy and negotiation, interferes with franchises and coaches to mainstream the rules governing how and when and why a team can meet and practice.
Not for marijuana use. There's pre-set suspension lengths for each time you're caught. This was Sheldon's second time caught with pot in him (at least)
Straw man? I brought that up to further my argument that in the coming years it will continue to be legalized state by state and that the feds would be wise to reclassify it as it creates jobs. You are yet to provide a single argument why the league should keep it banned once it is legalized other then it helps keep players healthy.
that day will come. Once enough states legalize big business will move in. Soon the Marlboro man will be back with a blunt in his mouth.
I fully 110% agree with this. they can do whatever they wish so long as they can get the union to sign off on it via the CBA. If they want to ban players having tattoos because they feel it hurts the leagues image is bad for business that is on them. And you are correct ALL POINTS OF VIEW ON THIS BOARD MEAN NOTHING. it comes down to the league and union brass when they hit that bargaining table.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck already put a blunt in his mouth. The music industry will combine, with the 420 industry...'Your music will sound so much better'
This post sums it up for me. You don't need to agree with the rules, but you accepted to abide by them. If you don't like your employers rules you are free to find new work. Debating whether Marijuana or alcohol is worse is stupid, it doesn't matter how harmless or how harmful one or the other is, one is banned, one isn't, if it's backwards, too bad. One is against the rules, and taking it will affect your multimillion dollar career. How many jobs can you make MILLIONS of dollars in over maybe 10-20% of your life depending on the length of your career? 8 or 9 digit contracts. You're a total moron to break the rules and potentially give that up when your employers asks you to stay clean through your 20's and generally early 30's, then you can do whatever you want with the rest of your life and never work another day.
The NFL has had rules against Marijuana in place probably since the league was started. The NFL didn't rob you, Sheldon Richardson did. This rule is probably older than all of us. You're foolish to be pissed at the NFL when a rule older than Richardson is what got him in trouble. It's not something new that he got caught not knowing the ins and outs of yet, it's a simple rule that says "don't smoke pot", which as someone has posted, he apparently broke FOUR times, because thats how many strikes it takes to get the 4 game suspension. FOUR TIMES. There are a thousand other things you can be mad at the NFL for, choosing this one is simply foolish. They didn't rob you. The NFL and NFLPA both agreed with this rule.
It also displays poor decision making. Is it right that you get a ticket for doing 75 in a 55 on a completely baron road? Most would argue that they are in full control of the car regardless of speed but the law is the law. You break the law you face the penalties. This is a critical time for both Wilk and Richardson and may end up with a rewarding deal for Wilk while Sheldon walks. Tough to understand how players can be so stupid in their disregard for the league laws. It goes back to what JJ Watt said. When I'm done with football I can be a regular guy and drink as many beers as I want. Until then, the contract reads to maximize your contract and playing ability by staying away from the vices.
Two points. Richardson is an idiot for failing drug tests for weed three times. No question about it and the suspension is four games and there is nothing that can be done. He knew the potential consequences of his actions and he and the team pat the price. However, the NFL discipline system is absurd. When smoking a joint in the offseason gets you the same suspension as cheating to gain a competitive advantage on the field, something is very wrong. I can understand harsh discipline for PEDs, but the marijuana suspensions are completely out of whack with every other disciplinary measure. This is something that t needs to change and the players need to fight these minor drug offense penalties. Josh Gordon's career is ruined for having traces of pot and alcohol in his system, but the Pats are compulsive cheaters and get a comparable slap n the wrist.
At least it was pot and not something heavier/worse. Hopefully this will help him and the team in the long run, by keeping his contract lower than it would have been, and giving Williams a chance to develop sooner. It does give Mo all the leverage in negotiations, however.
you just don't get that young, rich, African American athletes smoke weed 24/7 whenever/wherever they can. It's almost cultural. And now it's medical for healing and dealing with pain and concussions. Be mad at Richardson all you want, but you should be furious with the NFL.
I don't think it works like that. I think they're also tested in the off season, but also, the people I have known that smoked pot, couldn't just stop smoking it for 5-6 months. If it makes players willing to risk millions of dollars, then it must not be as harmless as some of you think. IMO it's not just a matter of the players being stupid. I think it's addictive.
