The Colts were operating based on actual NFL policy, not what you, I, or they think the policy should be. As NFL rules are today, it is my contention that the Colts actions were appropriate. Acting otherwise would not make Johnson any less likely to get suspended or make him any more reliable for the team. A different response would not have increased the likelihood that Johnson would not violate the league’s substance abuse policy again, costing the Colts team its starting DT for an unspecified period of time, AT an unspecified period of time, which could cost the team a win, the division, the playoffs, or maybe even a Super Bowl. Had the Colts management handled Johnson differently it would not have increased the likelihood that his teammates could count on him when they needed him most, on the football field on Sundays. Those are the facts, based on league policies the Colts management does not control, set, or otherwise dictate. Given those facts, given the risks involved with Johnson’s off-the-field lifestyle and how it could have affected the team on-the-field, it was the right thing to do.

Now, if the league policy should be different, if that is what you are arguing, that is fine. In my mind, though, using that belief to pass judgment on the team, its management, and its decision to handle Johnson the way it did weakens the argument. In short, you are attacking the Colts based on what you think they think when the real issue is what the Colts did based on what actually is: possession of marijuana is illegal, a violation of NFL substance abuse policies, punishable by suspension or even expulsion from the league, and extremely unpopular amongst the Colts fan base (the ones who pay money to build new stadiums, for season-tickets, and Colts memorabilia). Good or bad decision based on those facts? I say good.

Now for the deeper moral issue underlying the NFL policy. For what it is worth, I admire the Colts organization and the NFL for protecting the integrity of the game by refusing to be associated with players who abuse drugs (marijuana is illegal). I do not admire them because I think marijuana is evil or immoral but because I think professional sports is more than just a stage for great athletes to play games. Professional sports rely upon the support of fans (the public) to survive and for these athletes to earn a ridiculous living. The public, by and large, does not support the use of illegal drugs, condone the selling or buying of illegal drugs, and the majority of the NFL fan base have families who want to play sports and who are influenced by their professional athlete heroes and look up to them as role models.

If the NFL, or the Colts, handle abuse of illegal drugs by professional athletes passively, it must accept the image it is projecting to its fans and those who look up to their heroes most (kids); that abusing illegal drugs is 1) not a big deal and 2) will not keep them from living their dream of becoming professional athletes. Most importantly, fans are aware that abusing illegal drugs or being caught in possession of illegal drugs is criminally punishable, ie. people can go to jail, families can be ripped apart, and lives can be ruined. However, not for professional athletes. Naw, so long as they are not thrown in jail, the NFL and the Colts do not have any problem paying them hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars for the privilege of competing in professional athletics, becoming famous, and impacting the lives of kids growing up who want to “be like them.” That is a pretty irresponsible approach and ultimately would most likely lead to the degradation or destruction of the league as we know it.

All that said, I have already stated that in my mind, the Colts have made it very clear that Johnson’s behavior will not be tolerated, that the they were serious with the one strike and you are out policy and would not have any problem with them re-signing Ed Johnson for competition over the summer. Why? Because I think they have handled the issue appropriately and agree with you that the offense, possession of marijuana, is not so horrible that he should not be given the opportunity to try “one last time” to make it in the NFL. I do not think the integrity of the league would be in jeopardy or that the Colts or the NFL would be hypocritical to give Johnson another chance, so long as he serves out the one-game suspension the league has handed down.

Hopefully that clears it up. Again, I respect your position and understand where you’re coming from. However, as the policy is the policy, I think the Colts handled Johnson appropriately.

MRW,

You can’t get arrested for eating too much food. Whether you agree with it or not, smoking pot is largely illegal just as selling it and posessing it is.

Part of it is the the Colts are a product of the city of Indy and have to represent it that way too. The city is very conservative many of the people of Indy are not as open minded about various different social issues as I would like them to be. Kind of old fashioned (too old fashioned a lot of the time) it seems, but that’s the way it is.