Walter Thurmond substance abuse suspension

[VivaEfrenHerrera]

...But the fact is if I smoke and am tested for it (EVEN IF I SMOKED IT IN AMSTERDAM WHERE IT IS LEGAL) I am busted....

Indeed. But we can agree this policy is unjust, and in fact deeply wrong, yes? The sad, typical fact that we have to live with stupid, shitty policies is regrettable, but in no ways justifies the sad, shitty policy.

Personally, I love pot like it was a bloody damn family member, but if I were a professional athlete, making professional athlete money, I could pretty easily find it in myself to abstain. But the fact that I have to -- FOR NO GOOD REASON -- is just galling.

 

[Tech Worlds]

Pete runs a loose ship. This is on him too.

So...When the Whiners fans call him "Pete the Cheat", you agree?

Don't be silly

 

[daketah]

I am not as lient on druggies as you are I suppose.

I don't live in a win at all costs world.

If Lynch starts getting caught doing drugs my opinion of him will change. I grew up in a household that didn't allow that stuff so I feel this way. I realize most of you think it's OK to partake to pot. I don't. Just my personal preference.

Here's the thing, though. Using marijuana doesn't make you a "druggie" any more than enjoying a glass of wine makes you an "alcoholic". It's almost impossible to make a coherent case that using marijuana is inherently immoral. (Which in theory is the basis for our laws, and following that, company policies.)

It's fine for you to prefer not to use marijuana, or to prefer not to associate with marijuana users. Name-calling ("druggie" = dismissive, pejorative term, to my reading) is less fine.

What does indicate a problem (and with it the "pejorative") is when the usage of the substance is at odds with the user's responsibilities. WT3 has a responsibility to the Seahawks as is defined in his employment agreement (contract). The question as to whether or not it is "immoral" is irrelevant in the face of his contract.

 

[SeaTown81]

The main reason I think Thurmond deserves a decent amount of blame is he failed a second time. He failed a second time, when he knew he was being watched as a one time offender.

I don't give a crap about getting into the debate of drug use and how we as people in different work fields would be treated if we failed a drug test. The NFL and pro sports obviously do not care about it much. They have set up extremely lax and easy to work around rules that let these guys do the stuff a pretty decent amount. I'm not positive of how the NFL works. But I know the NBA has it so players basically know when they are going to be tested, and when they're in the clear. These pro sports leagues have such lax testing policies because they know the reality of the situation. They know who there employee base is and where they come from. 70% of players at a recent NFL combine admitted to having smoked weed. The NFL and NBA know that these guys do this stuff. They only test them to say they test them. Heck, the NFL allows players to fail once with zero punishment! They aren't going to go all out and as militant as some of you guys want them to. They don't want to lose that many players all the time, and the players union would never agree to it.

So with all that in mind, you kinda have to look at this a bit from a perspective of how the game of drug testing is played and the rules that have been put in place by the league and union. This isn't an issue of morality or justice. It might be for you personally, that's fine. But it isn't for the NFL or it's players. They are under an entirely different umbrella and set of rules than we are. They work for an employer that allows them to fail one non-ped drug test with no punishment. This is the right their player's union has bargained for them. Players obviously know this. And I'm guessing we'd hear about a ton more players if it was reported when they committed their first offense. So you set up a rather lax and lenient drug testing policy. Guess what, players are going to take advantage. And that's how you get to a place where former players are guessing that half the league smokes weed. I'm sorry. But acting shocked and appalled when this is the model under which the NFL operates, IMO, is a bit silly.

All that said. Once again. Walter Thurmond failed a second test. :34853_doh:

Now just watch as it comes out that he was busted for something other than weed. :lol:

 

[VivaEfrenHerrera]

I consider habitual pot smokers druggies and or pot heads and I have no problem proclaiming that.

Fine. But do you at least see how someone could consider the name-calling aspect rude and even dickish?

 

[VivaEfrenHerrera]

...WT3 has a responsibility to the Seahawks as is defined in his employment agreement (contract). The question as to whether or not it is "immoral" is irrelevant in the face of his contract.

Oh, very definitely. But as well, the Seahawks and their parent entity have responsibilities to their employes and customers. These include having rational, reasonable, humane HR policies.

 

[bestfightstory]

Now just watch as it comes out that he was busted for something other than weed. :lol:

I already suggested that an opiate addiction may be a possibility.

Know what?

Who cares?

You think the NFL doesn't provide counseling and diversion opportunities for people who fail a FIRST test?? Not to mention the Seahawks organization? This is all on Thurmond. Protect the team.

 

[SeaTown81]

Now just watch as it comes out that he was busted for something other than weed. :lol:

I already suggested that an opiate addiction may be a possibility.

Know what?

Who cares?

You think the NFL doesn't provide counseling and diversion opportunities for people who fail a FIRST test?? Not to mention the Seahawks organization? This is all on Thurmond. Protect the team.

Agreed.

 

[daketah]

...WT3 has a responsibility to the Seahawks as is defined in his employment agreement (contract). The question as to whether or not it is "immoral" is irrelevant in the face of his contract.

Oh, very definitely. But as well, the Seahawks and their parent entity have responsibilities to their employes and customers. These include having rational, reasonable, humane HR policies.

On this, we agree. The problem is that a violation of a stupid law, rule, or regulation is still a violation.

 

[daketah]

Now just watch as it comes out that he was busted for something other than weed. :lol:

I already suggested that an opiate addiction may be a possibility.

Know what?

Who cares?

You think the NFL doesn't provide counseling and diversion opportunities for people who fail a FIRST test?? Not to mention the Seahawks organization? This is all on Thurmond. Protect the team.

If he is an addict, it is only he who can make the decision to change. More often than not, that decision comes as a result of acknowledging that continuing with the addiction is no longer worthwhile.

If he is an addict, and he needs to take advantage of the help that is readily available, let's hope that the suspension is enough for him to "learn his lesson".

 

[rsm650]

I THOUGHT THIS WAS WASHINGTON STATE! GAY WEED FOR EVERYONE!

JK. If the NFL paid me a ton of money to not smoke weed, I wouldn't smoke weed. Or cocaine, or whatever Thurmond took.

 

[VivaEfrenHerrera]

If the NFL paid me a ton of money to not smoke weed, I wouldn't smoke weed.

Truth.

 

[griffonks]

Dang it, I was hoping the Hawks would be at full strength for NO.

Denver went through this with Miller, it cost him millions in lost income and signing bonuses he's going to have to return. All for pot. He had a longer suspension because he tried to avoid positive testing.

These players seem to think that they can avoid paying the piper for transgressions. Selfish, spoiled and immature attitudes probably caused by having the rules bent for them because of their talent and having so much money at an immature age.

Von Miller has like one sack since his return, he hasn't recovered from his moronic exploits yet.

Go hawks.

 

[hawk45]

...WT3 has a responsibility to the Seahawks as is defined in his employment agreement (contract). The question as to whether or not it is "immoral" is irrelevant in the face of his contract.

Oh, very definitely. But as well, the Seahawks and their parent entity have responsibilities to their employes and customers. These include having rational, reasonable, humane HR policies.

That's ridiculous. You act as if they're violating human rights here. Look a company can prohibit whatever they want. Nobody is held at gunpoint and forced to work anywhere. These players can go work somewhere else, or not at all, and smoke themselves silly if they like.

Most employers will terminate someone if they can't control their alcohol intake and it presents problems, so it's not as if they're picking on weed. It's just that employers have decided that habitual marijuana use presents a bigger risk to productivity and is a bigger problem. Whether that's correct or not (my personal opinion, emphasis on personal, is that it is a bigger problem) who cares. It's not up to us and it's not a question of fairness because again, nobody is forced to work anywhere.

The fact is though that once you enter into a contract your livelihood and success is tied to your ability to live up to the terms. If you can't, your weakness is the ONLY thing to blame for letting down your teammates and whoever is depending on you to bring the paycheck home.

 

[Shadowhawk]

By the way, per the rules if Thurmond tests positive for performance enhancing drugs again, the next punishment is a year-long suspension (like Justin Blackmon in Jacksonville.) If he wants to re-sign with the Seahawks next year, he had better after to a provision where he forfeits his signing bonus if he gets another suspension or something similar.

 

[Sports Hernia]

So Sherm and BB were tested last preseason, then faced suspension after - what - week 12? Now this after week 11?

I'm confused about the timing of these things. Admittedly I'm not scouring the webz for all the ins & outs, but it's weird that this has happened just before the playoff run two years in a row.

I smell a conspiracy

:stirthepot:

First off Thurmond is an idiot for getting suspended, period.

But the NFL 's timing of this is suspicious. I'm curious how long the NFL had this failed test in their back pocket? Like I said in a previous thread I don't think the NFL wants HFA for the NFC settled in week 13, they'd rather have it settled in week 14, 15, or 16. IMHO this is an early indicator of upcoming "heavy zebra involvement" in the upcoming MNF vs the saints.

If I were the Hawks I'd have Thurmond appeal then after saints game then drop the appeal.

And let me repeat, Thurmond is an IDIOT for getting suspended.

 

[Jay-Dog]

When we win on Monday all will be forgotten. The Team will move forward.

Thurmond has to wake up and face his own reality. Hope he finds himself and learns from his mistakes.

 

[Basis4day]

By the way, per the rules if Thurmond tests positive for performance enhancing drugs again, the next punishment is a year-long suspension (like Justin Blackmon in Jacksonville.) If he wants to re-sign with the Seahawks next year, he had better after to a provision where he forfeits his signing bonus if he gets another suspension or something similar.

It's not PED related.

 

[SalishHawkFan]

...But the fact is if I smoke and am tested for it (EVEN IF I SMOKED IT IN AMSTERDAM WHERE IT IS LEGAL) I am busted....

Indeed. But we can agree this policy is unjust, and in fact deeply wrong, yes? The sad, typical fact that we have to live with stupid, shitty policies is regrettable, but in no ways justifies the sad, shitty policy.

Personally, I love pot like it was a bloody damn family member, but if I were a professional athlete, making professional athlete money, I could pretty easily find it in myself to abstain. But the fact that I have to -- FOR NO GOOD REASON -- is just galling.

It's not just regrettable, it stands against everything our Constitution stands for. Corporations have usurped our government in every aspect of our lives, from buying out our democracy to enforcing their own laws.

btw, did Thurmond misunderstand something? He was stepping up to the Legion of Boom, not the Legion of Bong.

 

[raisethe3]

So who's taking Thurmond's spot? I am liking Maxwell. Can't really trust Lane.

Also where the hell is Simon?! We didn't draft him just to stick on the team and do nothing all season.