The Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones And The War On The NFL's 'War On Drugs'

[w8lifter]

Since any interesting Cowboys news is hard to find, I thought this might be a good topic to discuss:

http://www.scout.com/nfl/cowboys/story/1776235-jerry-s-cowboys-vs-the-nfl-war-on-drugs

Let's hear your thoughts on this topic, please.

 

[JoeKing]

I think there is a middle ground to be had on this so-called war on the war on drugs. A win for the Cowboys would be for the league to suspend testing but still punish convicted offenders.

 

[BoysfanfromCanada]

I feel like they're more on the bandwagon because they've invested a 2nd round pick on a player they think can help them now. But it's still a good fight, and having a franchise like the Cowboys spearheading things will probably make change happen sooner. I'd much rather, on a human level, have a player use marijuana for pain relief/mental issues/sleep issues as opposed to opiods that most pain meds are.

 

[Hailmary]

This is going to sound insane, but I think all NFL players that smoke should do so openly with the intentions of testing positive. It's much easier for the NFL to suspend a handful of players each year, let's see how they handle things when a third of the league tests positive (with a good number of them being the face of the franchise/league). Look at it as a form protest against a substance that should never have been banned in the first place.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

If a player wants to smoke a joint... let'em.

Worry about more destructive drugs.

 

[Ranching]

I've never tried Illegal drugs, so I don't see the attraction. I've had several surgeries including knee and a complete ankle reconstruction. Dislocated my shoulder several times and had a couple of concussions, not to mention three broken fingers. I didn't need drugs back then and I don't need them now to cope with the pain. I feel that many of these players use pain as an excuse, I also feel that if the league turns the other way and allows a certain amount of illegal drugs, it would send a bad message to our youth, a lot of which don't need Any more excuses to justify drug use.
If you allow marijuana use in states where it is legal, the Cowboys wouldn't be able to keep or attract any free agents. Just my opinion.

 

[Ranching]

If a player wants to smoke a joint... let'em.

Worry about more destructive drugs.

As long as they don't test and make it public. Keep it behind closed doors and don't come to work stoned.

 

[robjay04]

For my job, I don't have to worry about ever being tested. I'm sure I signed something in the hiring process giving my employer the right to drug test me if they suspect something.

That's fair...if an owner or coach suspects something is up with a player, fine...leave it in house and let team's deal with their own way. PEDs are one thing but marijuana should be treated like alcohol...it's only a problem if you make it a problem.

 

[Ranching]

For my job, I don't have to worry about ever being tested. I'm sure I signed something in the hiring process giving my employer the right to drug test me if they suspect something.

That's fair...if an owner or coach suspects something is up with a player, fine...leave it in house and let team's deal with their own way. PEDs are one thing but marijuana should be treated like alcohol...it's only a problem if you make it a problem.

My problem with marijuana is that it's still illegal in most states. That's where it can become an issue and a distraction. You get caught buying it or in possession you can get arrested, even if you aren't under the influence.

 

[HomeBiscuit]

As a great American philosopher Cordozar Calvin Broadus, Jr., aka snoop dog, once said, "smoke weed every day"

 

[Ranching]

If a player wants to smoke a joint... let'em.

Worry about more destructive drugs.

Even though I agree, the issue could be that most of the players smoking weed, smoked it when they were broke. Image the kinds of drugs they can afford now that they are rich.

 

[JoeKing]

This is going to sound insane, but I think all NFL players that smoke should do so openly with the intentions of testing positive. It's much easier for the NFL to suspend a handful of players each year, let's see how they handle things when a third of the league tests positive (with a good number of them being the face of the franchise/league). Look at it as a form protest against a substance that should never have been banned in the first place.

I agree... this sounds insane.

 

[gmoney112]

Even though I agree, the issue could be that most of the players smoking weed, smoked it when they were broke. Image the kinds of drugs they can afford now that they are rich.

That's thing about marijuana, it's not like other drugs. I've smoked pot, I know plenty of others that still smoke pot, and those that smoked pot when they were broke college students and are now engineers in leadership positions making more than enough money that still only smoke pot. I'm not in the $150,000+ demographic, but I can afford other drugs and still only smoke pot, rarely.

In fact, those of us who are responsible adults realize that it's mostly alcoholics that tend to gravitate towards drugs like cocaine (okay, maybe investment bankers), benzos, and opiates (not taking into account people who get addicted due to injury/surgery).

The worry should come about guys who feel the need to party every weekend and get roaring drunk. It's almost a personality trait that tends to be a little more irresponsible, and feels it needs that kind of release. The people who work hard, don't make trouble, and on the weekends prefer to smoke a joint and sit at home are the least of our problems.

 

[robjay04]

My problem with marijuana is that it's still illegal in most states. That's where it can become an issue and a distraction. You get caught buying it or in possession you can get arrested, even if you aren't under the influence.

If that's the case then you should face consequences.

My point is that the employer shouldn't be the one to make that decision because they force you to pee in a cup. I work in a very, very tightly regulated industry, if I am caught buying marijuana, I have to report it and I may get fired because of it but that goes with any law in real. On that same note, I am not tested regularly to make sure that I am not breaking any laws unless my employer suspects I am taking something that is having an impact on my performance.

 

[gmoney112]

Fun story, my uncle Scooter used to ride the tractor with a 6 pack of Budweiser and a big doobie in his ear.

 

[Ken]

My problem with marijuana is that it's still illegal in most states. That's where it can become an issue and a distraction. You get caught buying it or in possession you can get arrested, even if you aren't under the influence.

Isn't that reason enough to not ruin these players careers, the fact that it is perfectly LEGAL in some states?

It is the most ridiculous situation this country is in with Marijuana.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

I'm for relaxing the rules by making it into a fine instead of a suspension,,, if they just stop testing some of these guys will be getting baked all the time.

 

[gmoney112]

I'm for relaxing the rules by making it into a fine instead of a suspension,,, if they just stop testing some of these guys will be getting baked all the time.

I don't know about that. They did manage to get drafted coming from some big campuses where they could smoke literally anytime they wanted.

 

[Hailmary]

I've never tried Illegal drugs, so I don't see the attraction. I've had several surgeries including knee and a complete ankle reconstruction. Dislocated my shoulder several times and had a couple of concussions, not to mention three broken fingers. I didn't need drugs back then and I don't need them now to cope with the pain. I feel that many of these players use pain as an excuse, I also feel that if the league turns the other way and allows a certain amount of illegal drugs, it would send a bad message to our youth, a lot of which don't need Any more excuses to justify drug use.
If you allow marijuana use in states where it is legal, the Cowboys wouldn't be able to keep or attract any free agents. Just my opinion.

I respect your decision in not ever having experimented with illegal drugs, but have you ever consumed alcohol in your life? That too was illegal at one point and yet no one thinks twice about it these days. There are approximately 88,000 alcohol related deaths in the U.S. annually (compared to ZERO marijuana related deaths), and yet the NFL freely advertises it during their broadcasts. What sort of message is being sent to our youth when they air these commercials that make it seem so cool?

May I ask where your stance on marijuana stems from? It's my belief that a lot of people's opinion of it is because they are simply told it's "bad", but please realize there was a lot of politics as to why it was banned in the first place and why so many are opposing the legalization of it to this day (mostly money related).

 

[Ranching]

That's thing about marijuana, it's not like other drugs. I've smoked pot, I know plenty of others that still smoke pot, and those that smoked pot when they were broke college students and are now engineers in leadership positions making more than enough money that still only smoke pot. I'm not in the $150,000+ demographic, but I can afford other drugs and still only smoke pot, rarely.

In fact, those of us who are responsible adults realize that it's mostly alcoholics that tend to gravitate towards drugs like cocaine (okay, maybe investment bankers), benzos, and opiates (not taking into account people who get addicted due to injury/surgery).

The worry should come about guys who feel the need to party every weekend and get roaring drunk. It's almost a personality trait that tends to be a little more irresponsible, and feels it needs that kind of release. The people who work hard, don't make trouble, and on the weekends prefer to smoke a joint and sit at home are the least of our problems.

I'm pretty naive about this subject, but being around football for 41 years as a player and coach and having been around many HS, college and pro football players. I do know that many of them LOVE to party and feel invincible even before they get high. Those responsible people you talk about had to survive their youth without getting arrested for use or possession, if not they may not have their current job to work hard at.
I've worked hard all my life and did my fair share of partying that I was lucky enough to survive. I enjoy relaxing with a tall cold drink or two or even three in the privacy of my own home. Pick your poison. If you can control it. Salud! Or is it puff puff pass. Lol