NFL: David Irving takes a stand
- Thread starter Cyclonepride
- Start date
Before reading his statement I had the same thought. I don't give a crap if somebody wants to smoke weed but if your job requires you to not smoke weed then suck it up and don't do it because a paycheck is more important. But his position isn't a "I just can't stop smoking pot even for the paycheck", it is "The injuries from football cause me to be in constant pain and I'd rather manage it with a non-addictive substance that won't destroy my body than pills or booze because I've got a long life left to live". When you see how destroyed most football players are by the time they reach even their 30s I can't say we're in a position to say he doesn't have a valid point.
I can understand this perspective and in general I don't disagree but with the pains these guys go through and the addictive properties of the alternatives I do understand where he is coming from. If he is living his life in extreme pain and is at risk to make it worse then I could see why retiring for peace and comfort could be attractive. Now would I go out and publicly say I was choosing weed over the nfl, **** no, but I am not going to fault the guy for using it to send a message he believes in even if it hurts him in the long run.
In this particular instance, I don't think so. I really don't think weed is a separator for the NFL fanbase.
My guess is he'll be angling for a comeback inside of two years. His body will start to feel better and the bank accounts will start to dry up.
As a whole, no, but if you look at the kneeling controversy, and the impulses behind that, I think you will find a whole lot of overlap between the fan outrage for that and the perceived evils of weed.
I think it would probably be a similar break down to the general populace IMO. The outrage would probably come from people who expect NFL players to all be perfect role models for their kids. It is just easier in some peoples eyes if weed didn't "exist" to tell their kids not to smoke weed.
All you have to do is not suspend anyone for it. You don't even have to test for it. That's the problem. They know everyone can get it and do it.
Not only that but weed stays in your system a hell of a lot longer than more dangerous and serious drugs.
I genuinely don't think the fallout from allowing weed would be nearly as bad as what happened to Kap. I just don't see it. The other major difference is that Kap's mission was extremely front-facing and very visible, whereas the weed concern within the NFL isn't. Most of the trouble with it already is just minor background noise, and has been that way until the players started speaking up about it. Once it's said and done, I think it's be largely forgotten (in fan eyes) over an off-season.
What does the test look for? Thought THC wasn't in medical marijuana, at least that is what all the pro-marijuana people tell me. Just get a prescription and you should be good to go.
Funny how players like Kareem Hunt can get a second chance following an assault but anyone smoking up is blacklisted. Shows you where the NFL's priorities lie.
I'll add that I don't think that this is a particularly courageous decision, as the decision had been made for him, but it is a good point, and a useful way to go out.
There are some strains/products high in CBD and low in THC but that's not true for all medical cannabis. CBD alone can be beneficial but it doesn't cut it for everybody. I'm getting tired of the "well yeah legalize it medicinally but that's it" and "I don't really care if it's legal or not but...." crowd. The majority are in favor and the benefits far outweigh the negatives. A lot of people do it whether it's legal or not so whatever issues others believe will pop up are already there and have been for a long time. The most noticeable change will be how much money is made from simply legalizing something a lot of people are doing anyways. That money will benefit everybody whether you partake or not. Legalizing nationwide is a no brainer and it's just a matter of time at this point.
