As we detailed on Friday, now-suspended Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Mike Pennel had to screw up multiple times to get to this point. That point is a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
It was announced that Dallas Cowboys linebacker Randy Gregory was also suspended four games, on Friday. Unlike Pennel’s situation, where no details of the infraction or the substance came out, Ian Rapoport did report some of the details of what got Gregory banned.
The list isn’t exactly short.
Per @NFL drug policy, Randy Gregory failed 4 tests. 1st at combine — in the program. Then 2-gm fine, then 4-gm fine, then 4-gm suspension
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 19, 2016
Gregory failed four tests.
Did Pennel fail four tests?
He could have. At the very least, he missed tests or otherwise violated the terms of the substance abuse program he was in.
Multiple times.
It’s hard to grasp how someone could take their NFL career so lightly. We can only conclude that either Pennel isn’t too bright or he has a real problem.
Hopefully, this is a wake-up call.
Odd situation, need more details before making an assumption though
His replacement s coming in round four of the draft.
I would say its pretty straightforward. National Felons League needs to clean itself up:
1st offense=warning
2nd offense=8 game suspension w\o pay
3rd offense=Out of League
For all the talk about the league being tough, its pretty apparent this is still a good old boys league.
Not to mention the players are reinforcing all the typical stereotypes placed on themselves by themselves.
They’re just smoking a little doobie.
This just makes the media crusade for the NFL to lighten its policy towards marijuana that much more idiotic. Geezus, these guys have to fail four damn tests to finally get hit with any kind of meaningful penalty.
I would say it is pretty lenient already.
I fail one drug test and I lose my job. Sheesh
Marijuana is legal for recreational use in two states at this moment (more to come), and is decriminalized in many other states as well. If the NFL wants their policy as a company to restrict the use of pot that’s fine, but it’s a bit hypocritical when you watch a game and every other commercial is for coors light, bud light, miller lite, etc. You have players talking about drinking after games. The entire fan experience is stereotyped on getting drunk while either on your couch, tailgating in the parking lot, or in the stadium. Half time shows have racing beer bottles for pete’s sake. They pump these advertisements in our faces ad nauseam and make millions off of it, all while telling people to “drink responsibly.” That’s no excuse for Pennel not following their rules but still kind of messed up. Especially when you can beat your wife and not miss any playing time unless someone got you on camera and leaked it to the internet because you know the NFL don’t give a shit.
Weed is still a better option than pill-form heroin
If it’s J.J. Watt, then it’s a 1 or 2 game suspension.