Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil will not be placed in the NFL’s substance abuse policy to start his career, reports James Walker of ESPN.com.
Tunsil had a truly awful draft day, as video of him smoking weed out of a gas mask surfaced on his Twitter just minutes before he was set to be drafted. Tunsil fell down the draft before getting selecting 13th overall by the Dolphins. Soon after, his Instagram was hacked showing him having a conversation with a former Ole Miss coach about improper benefits. It was truly a miserable way to start his career.
Still, one video of him smoking weed shouldn’t have automatically qualified him for the NFL’s substance abuse policy. But, apparently it could have. Walker reports the CBA states it was possible he could have been forced to enter Stage 1 of the league’s substance abuse program.
“The clause states: “Behavior [including but not limited to an arrest or conduct related to an alleged misuse of substances of abuse occurring up to two football seasons prior to the player’s applicable scouting combine] which, in the judgment of the medical director, exhibits physical, behavioral, or psychological signs or symptoms of misuse of substances of abuse.”
Tunsil has stated he doesn’t have a drug problem and unless there’s more evidence out there suggesting otherwise, he should be believed. Getting enrolled in the drug program would be a severely harsh penalty for a guy who desperately doesn’t need more punishment. It wasn’t wise of Tunsil to record himself doing a bong hit out of a gas mask, but that’s exactly the stupid stuff young adults do. Unfortunately for Tunsil, someone posted the video and it cost him millions.
The report suggests Tunsil will be followed closely by the league and support will be provided should it be needed. Good on the NFL for not rushing to judgment.
[ESPN]
