by Joey Durant
Randy Gregory, a highly touted NFL Draft prospect by most media outlets, has been in the headlines recently for a seemingly common reason that NFL and NCAA football players make headlines. Gregory tested positive for marijuana at the NFL Combine, even when he was aware of the date of the test well-ahead of time. Gregory, in response to his failed test, claimed that he " he stopped smoking in December, but still failed the combine test (Fox, 2015. para. 15)." Gregory went further in his discussion of his marijuana use, not denying that he was a user but that he was a "frequent pot smoker at Nebraska (Fox, 2015. para. 15)." In her article, Fox quotes an unnamed scout as saying that failing a drug test that the "player and his representatives know it's going to be administered is like 'failing an intelligence test (Fox, 2015. para. 6).'" The question everyone is asking is how far will Gregory drop in the draft, and how will he handle his situation as a professional. I believe a better question is why Gregory, a young man who doesn't seem to act maturely or think like an adult, should be getting the opportunity to enter the NFL and sign a multi-million dollar contract while already facing subjection to the NFL's substance abuse program? If you were to fail the preemployment drug screening for your dream job, would they give you a second chance? The NFL seems to find itself each year "protecting the shield" from situations involving players like Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, and Josh Gordon, but still allows players with obviously high risk factors like Gregory to come to the league. I understand that the nation-wide laws governing marijuana use are changing quickly, but they haven't yet changed in the NFL. The NFL, in allowing players who fail drug tests or have prior arrest records enter their draft, leaves its member franchises at risk of failure, scrutiny, and setback. The media and fans criticize the teams for giving these players chances, but the NFL first gives them the chance to enter the league through their draft.
Do you think players with obvious red-flag characteristics should be allowed to enter the NFL? What makes it okay for these players to enter one of the highest-paying jobs in the world, even when they have violated substance abuse policies? Is there a bigger benefit in allowing red-flag players into the league rather than denying them?
References
Fox, A. (2015, April 11). Randy Gregory's marijuana use makes NFL draft status unclear. Retrieved from http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2015/story/_/id/12641673/randy-gregory-marijuana-use-makes-nfl-draft-status-unclear
I believe they should. This is not a church they are trying to join. This is a job based solely on physical ability and being able to play at the highest level. There are hundreds of players who currently abuse drugs and alcohol and are still able, for the most part, to excel at their "job".
ReplyDeleteTalent makes it okay for these players to enter one of the highest-paying jobs in the world. We, as a society, value these players. As a member of an NFL organization, you can't afford to miss on taking Gregory if he ends up being a star. The benefit and the loss is all on the teams that take the risk on these players. They make their own evaluations and have their own personal ethics when it comes to these manners.
Marijuana use is something that I've always been opposed of, I've never smoked and don't see why anyone would risk their earning potential for it. It has now grown to be a large part of or youth culture and as we know it's becoming legal in some states and may be legal in all states one day. Its interesting that this topic is being addressed because yesterday during "4/20" a fellow coach posted on Facebook something along the lines of "as kids are posting about 4/20 today... College coaches are watching and taking away scholarships". About 5 minutes later he posted "one coach just said to me, 'its funny that you posted about 4/20, I just pulled 3 scholarships in the last hour". With that said I think it's interesting that Gregory has gotten this far without his use of marijuana becoming public because I know players are constantly tested. I actually have a friend who used to play here at Bowling Green as a Starter back when Tedd Ginn was at Ohio State and he guarded Ginn and actually did a pretty good job but despite his position and skill he was removed from the team because of his use of marijuana. However, I'm also aware of how coaches choose what they decide to put up with. With that said I don't believe Gregory doesn't deserve an opportunity, I know doctors who smoke weed, what makes them any different? I think it all depends on what coaches/organizations decide they're willing to put up with. Not saying that I think it's ok because I don't condone it in anyway and I guess you could make an argument that letting him on the team is condoning his behavior however, how can we help him to change his behavior if we reject him? Its not through rejection and criticism that you help people change its through love and support. To the second question I would ask does it make it OK for doctors or others in highly paid position just because they're not getting caught when tested? I do not necessarily think there is a bigger benefit to letting red flag character players into the league but to the players defense, there are a lot of unfairly painted pictures about players.that make them out to be some delinquent when its not always the case. However there are players who turn out to show that those red flags should have been a little more considered but again it comes down to a judgment call. How many players would miss out on opportunities if every time a "red flag" came up they were turned away? And if that was the case, would "red flags" develop into a broader definition to where it would begin to consist of more and more guidelines that can be considered as a red flag? I think having that rule in place would just make the court rooms even more busy on things that could be considered petty. I'm just saying let's not be so quick to throw stones, maybe Gregory is a 4.0 student with a great upbringing, I'm not sure I don't know his background, but even if that was the case would that make it easier to forgive him? I don't think it should.
ReplyDeleteJonathan Robinson
There is a huge benefit to each team that allows these players into their franchise, if that athlete is deemed to be a major contributor to their team. In my mind a failed drug test has several implications. Yes, he may not be the most intelligent person if he had months of prior notice to pass this drug test. Also, he may have a substance abuse problem. I think that the benefit of a second chance may actually help this individual. He could be signed with a team under the conditions of mandatory drug counseling, and intervention therapy. This is something that he may not otherwise have access to outside of the NFL. If he is a stand out athlete with a good personality who has a substance abuse problem, then I believe the NFL should want to help this individual. There are many different angles to this scenario, and I am curious to see what team picks him up, or where he falls in the draft. One failed drug test prior to his entrance into the league should not prevent him from a job in the NFL.
ReplyDeleteMatthias Reiber
Joey,
ReplyDeleteI find this to be an intriguing topic - not that I condone nor condemn those who smoke marijuana. I may have grown up in the 60s and 70s, but I never smoked pot - or anything else. However, in a Sport History class, several semesters ago, students were required to do ethical issue presentations. The very last one was by someone who advocated making smoking pot legal in the NFL. Part of his argument was that it may actually be used for medicinal purposes. And maybe that is why doctors are smoking it (in some cases). I think there would need to be more research into the medical benefits before such a practice is adopted. In the meantime, I cannot understand how players who know about testing and the consequences of smoking pot (or taking any other banned substance), would put their career at risk? A year ago, when Boo Boo Gates was arguably the best player eligible for the draft from BGSU, he was arrested on charges of drug trafficking. Why would he do that? I just don't get it!
Anyway, this is a thought-provoking blog entry.
Dr. Spencer