Randy Gregory to Apply for Reinstatement

[gjkoeppen]

Ridiculous given the NFL is one of the biggest beer advertisers in America... but those constant commercials couldn't possibly impact kids...

I don't disagree with the beer commercials during games at all. I remember before cigarette commercials were banned from TV altogether, they could only advertise on shows that started at 9:00 pm central time or later for about the last year or 2 they were still on. And yes I do drink beer but I don't need something on TV to get me to have some.
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[Proof]

Here's what you STILL don't get. My example of the viral pic was taken in a state where weed is legal. If the league stops testing for weed then it would not be a banned substance anymore so there could be no suspension because there would have been no arrests. As far as you thinking it's silly for a pic like that going viral, one DID in the last couple of months of a NFL player laying on a bed with what looks like a joint in his hand. Last I read it is being investigated by the league and why is it, because weed is still tested for and a banned substance and illegal in that state ( I think it was NY). Maybe you should worry just as much about whether your kids ARE looking for some weed than spending time and energy trying to justify the NFL not to test for weed anymore. Nobody knows for sure but how many of the players that do smoke weed started as teenagers or do you think they just started smoking it after they got into the NFL? How old were you when you had your first joint?
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Last response. Again the league isn’t beholden to what’s legal or illegal. Zeke was not convicted and the league still punished him. if a picture surfaced / went viral, they could still punish based on their in house, self governed personal misconduct policy as they see fit whether its in a legal state or not. I said the picture question was silly, not because it hasn’t happened, but because it’s silly worrying that it’s going to spark kids into smoking, and because all of the alcoholic sponsors and images permeating every game, every stadium etc. beyond that I don’t think weed is the boogeyman. For the record tho I don’t and haven’t smoked weed. I’ve always held government jobs and also it never interested me. I’m able to be objective though without a vested / biased interest.

As far as my kids, they’re going to live their lives. My wife and I are good parents and their role models. I’m not worried about how they’ll perceive athletes actions and also expect them to experiment with things as they age and decide responsibly.

 

[Aviano90]

Why would we need weed to not be tested for in Gregory's situation. Apparently, Gregory has been off the weed for 20 months. Weed doesn't seem to be the issue anymore.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Why would we need weed to not be tested for in Gregory's situation. Apparently, Gregory has been off the weed for 20 months. Weed doesn't seem to be the issue anymore.

Apparently a lot of these guys smoke weed in a certain time frame to get away with it. Some seem to get caught. But with as much pain as these guys suffer? I'd rather them run to weed than potential alcohol abuse.

 

[Aviano90]

Apparently a lot of these guys smoke weed in a certain time frame to get away with it. Some seem to get caught. But with as much pain as these guys suffer? I'd rather them run to weed than potential alcohol abuse.

I wouldn't mind them not testing for it anymore either, but it seems pretty simple to pass the one test a year. I think it is common knowledge at this point the policy on substance abuse is pretty much a joke. Once the players pass their one test a year, they're free to do all the weed they want as long as they don't get busted because they aren't getting tested again until the following year.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I wouldn't mind them not testing for it anymore either, but it seems pretty simple to pass the one test a year. I think it is common knowledge at this point the policy on substance abuse is pretty much a joke. Once the players pass their one test a year, they're free to do all the weed they want as long as they don't get busted because they aren't getting tested again until the following year.

Yeah if you don't smoke during the season. But what about during the season when you actually need it? Its a pain relief for some of these guys.

 

[jterrell]

Apparently a lot of these guys smoke weed in a certain time frame to get away with it. Some seem to get caught. But with as much pain as these guys suffer? I'd rather them run to weed than potential alcohol abuse.

It's worse than that.
it's not weed or alcohol.
it's weed or pain pills or masking shots.

weed is the least harmful pain mgmt option for sure.
see deaths of guys like Prince.
weed might make someone lazy and fat but it's not going to have them ODing.

 

[Aviano90]

Yeah if you don't smoke during the season. But what about during the season when you actually need it? Its a pain relief for some of these guys.

They take the test before the season. Once passed, they can smoke all they want during the season.

 

[Bluefin]

They take the test before the season. Once passed, they can smoke all they want during the season.

That's true for all NFL players who are not in the Substances of Abuse program.

The players know when they will be tested and can plan accordingly. The NFL knows they know and doesn't mind one bit.

The Substances of Abuse program isn't designed to stop players from smoking weed, it's in place to catch those who have a real problem and can't stop using even when they know a test is forthcoming.

Once a player is in the program, he can be tested as often as the medical director deems prudent.

I hate the current policy because it treats all players the same.

Rolando McClain did what he wanted off the field and didn't give a rip about the consequences or what anyone else thought.

Randy Gregory was using marijuana to alleviate anxiety issues and he was trying to follow the treatment plan prescribed for him by the NFL.

Two completely different situations should not be handled in the exact same fashion.

Gregory wasn't perfect, but he was making an effort to get better and he deserved to have a support system in place with the Dallas Cowboys. Banishing him from all contact with the club for at least one year, except for drug testing, was overkill of the highest magnitude.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

They take the test before the season. Once passed, they can smoke all they want during the season.

Like Blue said....that's not the case for guys in the system like Gregory. That's only true for the guys who haven't gotten caught yet. Which is why its a problem because if a guy is still smoking past the time frame you are essentially allowed to smoke....there is either something mentally happening there or you must really need it.

 

[Aviano90]

That's true for all NFL players who are not in the Substances of Abuse program.

The players know when they will be tested and can plan accordingly. The NFL knows they know and doesn't mind one bit.

The Substances of Abuse program isn't designed to stop players from smoking weed, it's in place to catch those who have a real problem and can't stop using even when they know a test is forthcoming.

Once a player is in the program, he can be tested as often as the medical director deems prudent.

I hate the current policy because it treats all players the same.

Rolando McClain did what he wanted off the field and didn't give a rip about the consequences or what anyone else thought.

Randy Gregory was using marijuana to alleviate anxiety issues and he was trying to follow the treatment plan prescribed for him by the NFL.

Two completely different situations should not be handled in the exact same fashion.

Gregory wasn't perfect, but he was making an effort to get better and he deserved to have a support system in place with the Dallas Cowboys. Banishing him from all contact with the club for at least one year, except for drug testing, was overkill of the highest magnitude.

That's a great explanation.

 

[Nightman]

Like Blue said....that's not the case for guys in the system like Gregory. That's only true for the guys who haven't gotten caught yet. Which is why its a problem because if a guy is still smoking past the time frame you are essentially allowed to smoke....there is either something mentally happening there or you must really need it.

That is why the policy won't change.... the rank and file can smoke til they choke

If a couple guys like JGordon and RGregory get scapled so be it....... don't rock the boat

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

That is why the policy won't change.... the rank and file can smoke til they choke

If a couple guys like JGordon and RGregory get scapled so be it....... don't rock the boat

It needs to be changed. The NFL should ask themselves why guys like Gordon and Gregory exist. They should be doing whatever it takes to help them.

 

[Hennessy_King]

Perfect timing Randy Gregory. We are about to have a spot on the d line open up.

 

[Nightman]

It needs to be changed. The NFL should ask themselves why guys like Gordon and Gregory exist. They should be doing whatever it takes to help them.

The NFL calls it a Drug Intervention Program

It takes several failed tests before a player is suspended for weed

They aren't looking to punish for weed but when guys make it obvious they can't look away

 

[Bluefin]

They aren't looking to punish for weed but when guys make it obvious they can't look away

That doesn't make all violations the same.

Randy Gregory failed a test at the Combine, which was a huge red flag, but Jerry Jones couldn't resist biting the apple when it was still there for the taking in round two (#60 overall).

Gregory continued failing tests after promising not to, was fined, and then suspended for the initial 4 games of the 2016 season. While seeking treatment at an undisclosed facility, Gregory reportedly left for a weekend. I don't know if it was a planned absence, if he asked for or was given permission, if he climbed a fence or dug a tunnel to escape.

He missed a test when he left for the weekend.

That caused an additional 10 game suspension to be added on to the already handed down 4 game suspension.

As far as I know, Gregory returned to the facility after that weekend absence. Missing a test does not automatically count as a failure, but the player must prove there was a communication error or have some other mitigating reason for not showing up to take the scheduled test. I don't know if the NFL sends its own team to conduct its drug tests or if they will allow treatment centers to do it themselves when a player is under their care.

Then, Gregory apparently missed a second test after returning to the Cowboys so he could work out and attend meetings with his team.

Again, missing a test isn't an automatic fail. The action may result in no punishment at all, a warning, a fine, or be treated as a failure.

The NFL went with the last option again and handed out an indefinite suspension lasting at least one calendar year with no guarantee of ever being allowed to play in the league again.

Is this treatment a little harsh?

Gregory wasn't in hiding, getting high for days on end, or getting into any kind of trouble for that matter. He wasn't being a young punk thumbing his nose at the powers that be.

Randy was trying to follow his program and get his life turned around in the right direction.

Gregory missed 26 regular season games over 2016-17 and it's possible that occurred without a real failed test being the culprit.

For real?

Is this how the NFL should treat a young man with a diagnosed mental health issue?

The powers that be might need to check themselves into a treatment center.

Perhaps the NFL doesn't believe in leniency once a player reaches stage 3 on the intervention program. Maybe they had sound reasons for counting the missed tests as failures.

I hate how Gregory's case has been handled, but it appears he has persevered and will submit his application for reinstatement in about two weeks.

 

[Nightman]

That doesn't make all violations the same.

Randy Gregory failed a test at the Combine, which was a huge red flag, but Jerry Jones couldn't resist biting the apple when it was still there for the taking in round two (#60 overall).

Gregory continued failing tests after promising not to, was fined, and then suspended for the initial 4 games of the 2016 season. While seeking treatment at an undisclosed facility, Gregory reportedly left for a weekend. I don't know if it was a planned absence, if he asked for or was given permission, if he climbed a fence or dug a tunnel to escape.

He missed a test when he left for the weekend.

That caused an additional 10 game suspension to be added on to the already handed down 4 game suspension.

As far as I know, Gregory returned to the facility after that weekend absence. Missing a test does not automatically count as a failure, but the player must prove there was a communication error or have some other mitigating reason for not showing up to take the scheduled test. I don't know if the NFL sends its own team to conduct its drug tests or if they will allow treatment centers to do it themselves when a player is under their care.

Then, Gregory apparently missed a second test after returning to the Cowboys so he could work out and attend meetings with his team.

Again, missing a test isn't an automatic fail. The action may result in no punishment at all, a warning, a fine, or be treated as a failure.

The NFL went with the last option again and handed out an indefinite suspension lasting at least one calendar year with no guarantee of ever being allowed to play in the league again.

Is this treatment a little harsh?

Gregory wasn't in hiding, getting high for days on end, or getting into any kind of trouble for that matter. He wasn't being a young punk thumbing his nose at the powers that be.

Randy was trying to follow his program and get his life turned around in the right direction.

Gregory missed 26 regular season games over 2016-17 and it's possible that occurred without a real failed test being the culprit.

For real?

Is this how the NFL should treat a young man with a diagnosed mental health issue?

The powers that be might need to check themselves into a treatment center.

Perhaps the NFL doesn't believe in leniency once a player reaches stage 3 on the intervention program. Maybe they had sound reasons for counting the missed tests as failures.

I hate how Gregory's case has been handled, but it appears he has persevered and will submit his application for reinstatement in about two weeks.

Like I said the first time.........RGregory failed multiple tests before he was ever suspended

The NFL policy is a joke.......pass the ONE test in April or July and you can smoke for the rest of the year...... it is an IQ test and he failed

 

[millennial_legend]

The powers that be might need to check themselves into a treatment center.

110% Agree

Trump needs to executive order a lobotomy for **** Goodell

 

[Hoofbite]

It needs to be changed. The NFL should ask themselves why guys like Gordon and Gregory exist. They should be doing whatever it takes to help them.

Why is it the NFL's responsibility to do whatever it takes to help them?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

The NFL calls it a Drug Intervention Program

It takes several failed tests before a player is suspended for weed

They aren't looking to punish for weed but when guys make it obvious they can't look away

I understand that. But they should look into why guys are failing since they make it difficult to failed these tests. Instead, players can't even have contact with organizations.