Running back Mikel Leshoure of the Detroit Lions got caught a couple times with weed a while back, and besides whatever legal consequences become of that, was just suspended by the NFL for the first two games of the upcoming season for violating their substance abuse policy. Sounds about right. In a twist yours truly never heard of before -- he also has to forfeit two more game checks. Unless I'm missing something here, that means he'll be playing two games for free. Assuming he's physically able to play, no given, it might be interesting to see what kind of workload the Lions give him -- and how hard he tries. Leshoure might be wise to "step it up" if and when he gets a chance in real games, playing gratis or not, or all that supposed "potential" might get run out of town faster than you can spell B-U-S-T.
In their not so infinite wisdom the United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA) has decided to once again go after former cycling legend Lance Armstrong. Just the allegations have resulted in Armstrong being banned from competing in triathlons -- his latest passion. How ridiculously unfair is that? Some faceless bureaucrats accuse somebody of something, and before a shred of supposed evidence is presented -- they get kicked out of their sport?
Nevermind that Armstrong's been retired from competitive cycling for many years, and passed over 500 drug tests when he was an active participant. Like Barry Bonds a while back, and Roger Clemens right now -- the only people that seem to care about forever dredging up the past looking for some dirt on their target of the month -- are federal agencies. Perhaps the relentless, though seemingly clueless, people behind these never-ending persecutions should be drug tested themselves. Check them for meth, speed, K2, Spice, and LSD usage. Maybe even crack. They're obviously whacked out on something that makes them either aggressive or downright off-the-wall.
Though I don't partake, in a perfect world, maybe the best thing that could happen would be forcing these people to smoke a little high grade cannabis themselves. That might mellow them out a bit, and perhaps they would stop trying to ruin people's lives, finances, and reputations over things most of us couldn't care less about anyway. (Idle thought: while we're at it, make every Republican and Democratic politician from the federal down to local level, have a 3 joint minimum per day. Though we might wind up with some amusing laws, at least it would stop the incessant partisan, childish bickering and gridlock. Everybody would get along just fine. Maybe not a bad trade off.)
Further, "anti" drug test them. If they DON'T come up positive for weed, suspend them without pay for a few weeks and send them off to a clinic somewhere. Not sure what an "anti" rehab center would consist of, but whatever it is -- these bullies would have had it coming.
John, when the NFL suspends a player, the customary monetary penalty is forfeiture of game checks for the games missed. So if a player is suspended by the league for 4 games, he would forfeit one fourth of his yearly salary. Pretty substantial. What I don't know is where the money goes.
ReplyDeleteBut that's the thing, Al. According to what I read, Leshoure was suspended for 2 games, but has to forfeit 4 game checks. If true, he'd be playing games 3 and 4 while not getting paid. Where does the money from various player fines go? Supposedly, if you want to believe the league office, they have their own "NFL-approved" charities they distribute the money to, though it appears tantamount to a matter of national security as to who they are, and how much each gets. If you can root that out -- I'll freely admit you're light years ahead of me. But never forget -- I can always take solace knowing you're 2 years old than I am. Hee hee. Have a good one.
DeleteSounds to me like someone had their 4 game suspension story already written, and when the suspension ended up at 2 games they forgot to change all fours to twos.
ReplyDeleteLost me on that one, Al. The initial report I saw said Goodell and Co. handed down a two game suspension, but ML would also have to forfeit two more game checks. Hence what I wrote. If that report was wrong -- then so was I. Simple as that.
DeleteAn afterthought. Me? Getting something wrong? No way. Impossible. Can't happen. Like the song goes -- Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble -- when you're perf.... well, you get the picture. LMAO. Have a good one bro.
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