The NFL plans to interview Clay Mathews, Julius Peppers, and free agent Mike Neal regarding drug-related accusations made in an Al-Jazeera report. Dubious or not, such stories should no longer shock when it comes to the Green Bay Packers.
In just the last year and a half, the NFL has suspended five Packers for drug-related offenses, if we count cornerback Jarrett Bush, by then a free agent. Those suspensions include both PED and substance abuse offenses.
The culprits suspended in 2015 — defensive lineman Letroy Guion (weed), Datone Jones (weed), and Bush (PEDs).
So far this year, Demetri Goodson and Mike Pennel will each miss four games. Goodson’s suspension is for PEDs, while Pennel’s comes under the league’s substance abuse policy.
Going back further, in 2010, defensive lineman Johnny Jolly was suspended, imprisoned, and missed three seasons for illicit drug use and distribution. Neal missed four games for PEDs in 2012.
You might also recall how the team courted Oregon tight end Colt Lyerla despite his struggles with cocaine. Lyerla is presently on his second Arena League team in the past eight months.
The league lists 40 substance abuse offenses in 2012, 37 in 2013, 41 in 2014, 54 in 2015 and 16 so far this year. Eighteen of these involve players listed as free agents, indicating many teams cut ties before suspensions became official.
The Packers (if we count Bush) have had five players suspended since the start of 2015. They trail only the Dallas Cowboys (7) and Chicago Bears (6) in that category. If we throw out Bush, they also trail the New York Jets (5).
Still, the point is, they’re near the top of the league in suspensions over the past year and half and they’re all drug-related.
Three teams have had a clean slate during the short span — Houston, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.
This isn’t exactly the image the Packers want to or claim to project. Plus, the missed games disrupt and weaken the team.
Maybe it’s time for the Packers to send a strong message to the troops.
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Faith, family, football…b.s.
It didn’t used to be “B.S.” It starts with that first one, and it starts at home.
Half of these are for marijuana-oh fucking no. PED infractions on the other hand are fucking cheating, no excuses. Interestingly 2 of those players are no longer with the Packers.
Your fat Phatgzus.
Again, stop projecting and deflecting.
Who cares Caitlyn Jenner like website I question you fan gender you Vikings fan
Maybe if you looked more at the history of the Packers and suspensions, you would then see an unsettling trend. Not to mention, what should be obvious to you as a “fan”, the possible implications of missing player time which affects a season as well as League and fan perception on all of those fronts.
But no, why don’t you just keep giving all of us some awesome drive-by comments full of other, “catchy” drive-by phrases like “Caitlyn Jenner” and “Vikings Fan”. Go turn on your mom’s blow dryer and see what comes out; that’s all that you are adding here.
I can’t believe football players–or anybody else–actually get busted for smoking some pot in this day and age.
I got suspended for game 5 after I kicked Lebron James. I want to get suspended again. Can I join that list?