Ricky Williams back, how many chances does this guy get?

[Hijinx]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Of course, but there are varying degrees of crimes and someone who smokes weed isn't exactly the same kind of threat to society as a mass murderer, even though both acts fall in the illegal category.

I just got done talking to someone here in TN. This guy was saying that if the NFL can let Ricky back in they have to let Pacman come back. I was stunned. How can you compare nearly a dozen run ins with the law including one involvement in an attempted murder to smoking weed.
To quote Dave Attell, "Yeah it is illegal, but its not that illegal."

[SC Skins Fan]

Obviously I don't know Ricky, maybe he is a complete douche, but every time I have ever seen an interview with him I always end up feeling bad for the guy. Clearly his own choices have caused him and his teammates a great deal of trouble, but it also is equally clear that the guy has some real (and documented) mental health issues. I cannot understand putting in jeopardy your NFL career for a few puffs, but the guy at least seems like a decent human being, which is more than you can say for some of these characters. Besides, being reinstated by the NFL doesn't mean he'll even play this season. From the reports I read it seems that the Dolphins want no part of him so Brown's injury is not the reason he was reinstated. Like Matty said, the guy did his time, he's lost a tremendous amount of money, he's career is probably over for all intents and purposes, what more do you want from him?

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SC Skins Fan

Obviously I don't know Ricky, maybe he is a complete douche, but every time I have ever seen an interview with him I always end up feeling bad for the guy. Clearly his own choices have caused him and his teammates a great deal of trouble, but it also is equally clear that the guy has some real (and documented) mental health issues. I cannot understand putting in jeopardy your NFL career for a few puffs, but the guy at least seems like a decent human being, which is more than you can say for some of these characters. Besides, being reinstated by the NFL doesn't mean he'll even play this season. From the reports I read it seems that the Dolphins want no part of him so Brown's injury is not the reason he was reinstated. Like Matty said, the guy did his time, he's lost a tremendous amount of money, he's career is probably over for all intents and purposes, what more do you want from him?

He has documented issues with social anxiety, and I'd be willing to bet that's the main reason he smokes weed.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

He has documented issues with social anxiety, and I'd be willing to bet that's the main reason he smokes weed.

Isn't that a warning flag? Needing to resort to illegal substances to cope with a mental issue? Isn't that a good sign that the weed use will continue? And remember, weed use gets you suspended in the NFL. And you can't help your team if you're suspended in the NFL.

I know you said you don't see an issue with giving the guy a second chance, but hopefully you didn't mean for the Redskins. Maybe there's no issue morally with giving him a second chance, but any team that does is idiotic in my opinion.

Guys with issues like that become locker room problems, evidenced by his bailing on the Dolphins and getting repeatedly suspended. Not very good for your salary cap to carry a guy who has a good chance of getting suspended.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Isn't that a warning flag? Needing to resort to illegal substances to cope with a mental issue? Isn't that a good sign that the weed use will continue? And remember, weed use gets you suspended in the NFL. And you can't help your team if you're suspended in the NFL.

I know you said you don't see an issue with giving the guy a second chance, but hopefully you didn't mean for the Redskins. Maybe there's no issue morally with giving him a second chance, but any team that does is idiotic in my opinion.

Guys with issues like that become locker room problems, evidenced by his bailing on the Dolphins and getting repeatedly suspended. Not very good for your salary cap to carry a guy who has a good chance of getting suspended.

There are plenty of people out there that turn to "alternative" meds when prescriptions don't work. I think the biggest crime is that there are true medicinal properties of weed that aren't being taken advantage of due to it being illegal, as well as economic benefits, but that's a discussion for a different day.

No, I wouldn't want the Skins to be the team giving him another chance, just as I expect the Dolphins would want no part of him now. But, he should be allowed the chance to come back if someone wants him.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

There are plenty of people out there that turn to "alternative" meds when prescriptions don't work. I think the biggest crime is that there are true medicinal properties of weed that aren't being taken advantage of due to it being illegal, as well as economic benefits, but that's a discussion for a different day.

No, I wouldn't want the Skins to be the team giving him another chance, just as I expect the Dolphins would want no part of him now. But, he should be allowed the chance to come back if someone wants him.

OK, yeah I can agree with that. He's served his time, so yeah, I agree he should be allowed back.

But man, if you're the GM of a team, and you know that pot gets you banned from games, and you know that there's a good chance this guy is going to continue smoking pot, you'd have to be an idiot. Or a team with absolutely nothing to lose for the rest of the season.

Nevermind the validity of using pot as an alternative medicine, because that has no relevance on the NFL's substance abuse policy. Ricky should be allowed back, but given that pot gets you banned, bringing him back can't possibly be a good idea for just about any NFL team.

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

There are plenty of people out there that turn to "alternative" meds when prescriptions don't work. I think the biggest crime is that there are true medicinal properties of weed that aren't being taken advantage of due to it being illegal, as well as economic benefits, but that's a discussion for a different day.

No, I wouldn't want the Skins to be the team giving him another chance, just as I expect the Dolphins would want no part of him now. But, he should be allowed the chance to come back if someone wants him.

Yeah, but there are also medical properties in cocaine as well. The biggest issue is that besides MJ being illegal, it is not regulated. I've heard plenty of non-medical people say marijuana is not harmful, yet I have heard the exact opposite from those in the medical community. Possibly if it was regulated by the food and drug administration, then it would be a different story. I realize it's a moot point either way, considering it is illegal. But, in regards to Williams, his problems go much further than his weed use. If a person is so addicted to a drug (yes, weed IS a drug,) that they cannot quit the habit in order to keep their drug, then there is a big problem. Certainly if I was good enough to play in the NFL and be a productive player, I would not do anything to jeopardize my opportunity.

But at the same time, if RW is truly working to put this behind him, then give him at least one more chance. Sign him to the vet minimum...LOL!

[skinsfan_nn]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

He has documented issues with social anxiety, and I'd be willing to bet that's the main reason he smokes weed.

Might be? Damn certain the weed is the main reason his career has went UP IN SMOKE.

Enough is enough.

Get stoned and get the hell on with your life without football...it is a privledge to play in this league.

Or stay clean a year or maybe two and play ball (if you have anything left), man up and play by the rules, stop trying to beat the system. It's not working very well.

[Duffman003]

If i was in the NFL i would probably smoke weed all the time too. Same if i was in Europe and played soccer, there's so much pressure to do well in every game.