Three strikes in baseball and you are out. Three arrests in the NFL and the league may (or may not) determine, “this guy needs help.”
There is no doubt about it: Justin Blackmon is one of the top young Wide Receivers in the NFL.After an outstanding college football career at Oklahoma State University, he was taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 5th overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Flash forward two years and I don’t think Blackmon has worked out quite how the Jaguars envisioned he would. When on the field, his talent is undeniable, but the young star has been nothing but trouble off of it.
Lets make a list, shall we?
- Arrested on October 27, 2010 and charged with a DUI but reduced to underage alcohol possession
- Arrested on June 3, 2012 with a DUI and pleaded guilty
- Suspended by the NFL (4 games) on April 20, 2013 for violating the NFL Substance Abuse Program
- Suspended by the NFL (indefinite) on November 1, 2013 for violating the NFL Substance Abuse Program
- Arrested on July 23, 2014 for possession of marijuana
- To Be Determined
Yes his first arrest happened while he was in college, so I guess that can be viewed as a pass, but how many second chances should the NFL give a player?
Roger Goodell has never been the most popular commissioner amongst fans, but he has developed a reputation for being a disciplinarian. He has given out numerous suspensions and fines since taking over in 2006 to both players and coaches.
I believe the time has come for Goodell to remind players that their roster spots are a privilege and not a given right.
This offseason has been quite active for all the wrong reasons. Headlines from Josh Gordon, Ray Rice and Richie Incognito have been rampant all offseason and is giving the NFL negative publicity.
Call me harsh, but I believe Goodell needs to begin to throw players out of the NFL. If players like Blackmon and Gordon feel that marijuana is more important than football, thats fine. They can enjoy all the marijuana they want while bagging groceries.
I believe the NFL is filled with many players who have excellent character, but it only takes a few rotten Jaguars and Browns to deface the whole league.
The NFL should institute a three-strke policy. Three offenses of any matter (off-the-field arrests, failed drug tests, ext.) and the player should be thrown out of the league.
These are grown men who should be responsible for their actions. There should be no sympathy or excuses made for players who can not get out of their own way. Second chances should not be handed out like halloween candy.
Justin Blackmon has had his chances to prove he can play by the rules and he has blown them or smoked them or was going home to smoke them. I believe he should not be allowed to play in the National Football League anymore.
Agree? Disagree? Comment bellow and feel free to follow me on twitter at @J_Cioffi
