Is the NFL targeting certain players to test for drug use? Controversy struck when NFL safety Eric Reid for the Carolina Panthers has been chosen out of 10 players from each team 7 out of the 16 possible weeks to test for drug use. It caused speculation among the league and many think Reid is blaming the system which seems to be fair at first glance.
Before all the tests, Reid had been involved with the kneeling movement along with Colin Kaepernick which signifies their protest towards social injustice and police brutality. Colin Kaepernick, who has been out of the league since 2014, has people associated with the NFL widely criticizing others for standing up for what they believe in. The amount of problems brought to the league is substantial since general managers are afraid to sign players who have stood up for their belief. Their hesitant to sign players take a kneel because it causes problems between players and their opinion on culture and color. It’s safe to question whether the NFL is picking on Eric Reid to test multiple times after the criticism from people around the league. Eventually Reid, posted a picture on Twitter having the caption say, "Number 7... random" which means he was being chosen week after week.
Another similar situation occurred with former Wide Receiver Josh Gordon, who played for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns has taken a personal leave from football to focus on his mental health. He has been suspended from playing football a total of three times and neglected any help from the resources that were given to him. In the past, he was given the opportunity to fix his old habits of smoking marijuana and while it seems to be a bit more challenging for Gordon to overcome, he finally is taking the time off. It seems that the NFL is suspending Gordon for his actions to show fans that smoking isn’t the solution.
The NFL drug policy states that no player may take illegal substances that will enhance their performance on the field. In the past, players have been suspended indefinitely depending on whether the team and league suggests. The NFL policy on substances of abuse states "substance abuse can lead to on-the-field injuries, to alienation of the fans, to diminished job performance, and to personal hardship. NFL Players should not suggest to any viewer that substance abuse is acceptable or safe." The NFL has stated "First-time offenders can be suspended four games for using a banned substance. Any attempt to cover up results of a test (a masking agent, for instance) gets a six-game ban." The NFL has a fair policy because for one, it is clear, and secondly, because they do not have a clear idea whether the players are using the drug excessively to get high or if their using it to relieve pain from football, they allow for some flexibility within the policy..
In addition, the NFL handles it fairly by classifying their drugs from marijuana to substances like cocaine. It’s obvious that cocaine has more of an effect than marijuana does on a person. So, they give out more violation warnings for marijuana than for cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, or opiates.
The NFL policy is putting an end to the use of drugs that may harm the team and/or yourself. They bend the rules given the type of drug used and number of times it happened to a player. For example, the use of marijuana policy is more lenient than an overdose of codeine or xanax. They take in consideration the number of times you’ve smoked marijuana. Since marijuana has its benefits, the player will receive a lesser punishment. Players outside the intervention program are tested once a year between April 20th and August 9th and only given a three hour window to check for any substance abuse. The intervention program is where players are checked by treating clinicians and decide whether or not the player should receive rehab. This program could possibly last up to 90 days and may threaten a players career if no cooperation is shown.
An argument starting against the NFL policy for drugs has dispersed among the league and former tight end, Nate Jackson for the Denver Broncos came out with a statement regarding the use of marijuana, stating to CBS news, “I laid out for the ball and caught it, was bringing it in, and then the lights went out; a firecracker exploded, for the next three days I laid in bed and didn't move." In response to the pain Jackson was feeling, he decided it was the right time to medicate with marijuana. “The football is the most dangerous part, you know? The football is a lot worse for them, not marijuana.” In other words, using marijuana is much safer than playing the sport of football. If the players use the substance for the right reason, there shouldn't be a rule that goes against them. The NFL’s reasoning for not changing the policy is because no medical advisors have complained that marijuana use is necessary between players. The use of marijuana in some states is prohibited under federal law. The NFL is a business which makes millions of dollars each year, pay their players to compete. If the players undergo a serious injury, it prevents them from reaching a deal with a franchise. Another reason to use marijuana during the NFL season.
A drug commonly used is steroids which is a legal drug to use over the counter. This drug works wonders and treats pain easily so they can go out on the field and compete to their full potential. Of course, the drug comes with its disadvantages so the NFL decided it was right to ban the drug.
To summarize the NFL’s policy, it is multiple drugs that are banned to anyone associated with the league. During this controversy, players still seem to use them to help medicate their injuries that takes place on the football field. Others may disagree and say it gives them multiple side effects. With this much talk around the NFL, I don’t think the league will decide to change anything.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nfl-marijuana-policy-stirs-debate-about-players-who-use-drug-as-medicine/
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/pittsburgh-steelers-nfl-features-news-blog-long-form/2015/8/28/9218621/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-nfls-substance-abuse-policies-martavis-bryant-steelers
https://sports.yahoo.com/lawyers-panthers-eric-reid-dispute-nfls-claim-drug-testing-normal-191110207.html
https://nflpaweb.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/PDFs/Agents/2016SOAPolicy_v2.pdf
https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/9/19/6559533/nfl-new-drug-policy-details-nflpa
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