Marijuana use and the NFL
The issue of marijuana use has seeped its way onto the national scene once again through the medium of the NFL.
The NFL’s official stance on the use of marijuana has not changed much over the years despite some states officially legalizing marijuana. The NFL is a national league and the United States federally still holds marijuana to be illegal; it is therefore illegal for anyone under contract to use marijuana. This law is still applicable in states, which have legalized the drug.
There have been various star players who have recently been suspended for using marijuana. Starting Wide Receiver of the Cleveland Browns, Josh Gordon was suspended on February 3, 2015 for the entire 2015 season after repeated alcohol and marijuana abuse. Gordon has shown a pattern of abuse over the years stemming back all the way to his college days.
Even one of the top draft prospects, outside linebacker Randy Gregory has admitted to failing a drug test before the NFL combine. Gregrory also admits to being a regular user throughout college.
However, Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers starting running back, has not shown a pattern of abuse. Bell is the latest NFL star to be suspended by the NFL stemming from a marijuana related arrest last pre-season. Bell, a rising star broke the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise record for most yards from scrimmage in a 2014 season with 2,215 all-purpose yards.
Le’Veon Bell accounted for 32.8 percent of Pittsburgh’s yards from scrimmage in 2014, the fourth-most by any player in the past two years and the highest by a Steeler in the past 10 seasons. Only three other well-established veterans, DeMarco Murray, Jamaal Charles, and Matt Forte, bested this percentage.
Bell plans to appeal this ban in hopes of receiving a shortened ban. Regardless of how long the suspension is, does a suspension really help this 22-year old get the help he may need?
I do not see this policy changing in the players favor anytime soon.
Instead the NFL needs to recognize the fact that many young star players are being suspended at an alarming rate. In a society that is slowly moving towards the legalization of marijuana, the NFL needs to see this trend and work to seek a better way of dealing with these rule infractions, rather than just suspending and fining these players, just to see them repeat the offenses.
The Steelers recently signed veteran running back DeAngelo Williams after he became a free agent this offseason. I tend to think the Steelers organization may have had a key tip off that Bell was to be suspended for a significant amount of time. Williams has been signed simply to fill in for Bell in his three-week suspension.
That being said Williams is far beyond his prime. Williams is entering his 10th NFL season. While he has been a feature back most of his career, he only produced 263 total yards in 2014 season compared to Bell’s 2,215. This is a big gap that needs to be addressed.
Bell managed to lead the Steelers in rushing yards in 15 out of 16 of their regular season games as the feature running back. Bell even managed to lead the team in rushing and receiving in week 13 of the regular season.
After posting back-to-back, 8–8 seasons in 2012 and 2013, the Steelers made it back to the post season. With Bell on the field the Steelers seemed to find at least one steady asset in a shaky season, as Bell helped the Steelers rack up 11 wins and make the playoffs.
However, in the first playoff game in the wildcard round Bell had to sit out with an injury and the Steelers lost 30–17 to the Baltimore Ravens, while only rushing for 25-yards. The Steelers organization and their fans should be worried about Bell’s absence and possible future altercations.
The organization has seen that a youth movement on the team is necessary for winning. However, I’m not sold if the NFL can keep up with the all the young players and their way of life. Being able to adapt for the sake of the game should be at the forefront for the NFL. Save the headlines and arrests for the real criminals and crimes like domestic abuse and murder.
