Friday, former Cleveland Browns quarterback and Heisman Trophy Winner Johnny Manziel made the choice to continue his professional football career by joining the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.
The Tiger-Cats held the exclusive CFL rights to Manziel and after repeated attempts to get back into the NFL, the former Texas A&M star decided to jump the border wall and head into the Great White North to play on a metric field with, I don’t know, a ball made out of seal blubber? Narhwal horns? I’m not really sure how the CFL game works.
Really, it’s a shame. But Manziel isn’t the only troubled player that’s been blackballed by the NFL for non violent or protest-related reasons. Johnny Football was his own worst enemy as a pro. He had problems with alcohol and discipline and the Browns were right to cut him. But should that cost him another chance in the NFL? Is that really what’s best for the league?
Manziel, at least, wasn’t barred from the NFL in his quest to return. His problem was with alcohol and since that’s legal, as are opiate-derived painkillers, there’s no official sanction keeping him out. That’s not the case for every talented player currently in the wind.
Let’s talk about Aldon Smith
Smith was a first round pick for the San Francisco 49ers back in 2011 and rewarded them with 14 sacks as a rookie and 19.5 sacks in his second season. He made the Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro. Then, everything went downhill for the kid.
For Smith, his issues with drugs and the law have all stemmed from the complete collapse of his mental health. We have watched him steadily deteriorate for the last four years and instead of offering help, counselling and support, Roger Goodell just continually hands out suspensions, keeping Smith out of the league and on the street. Just last month he was busted again for violating a protective order. Apparently his ankle monitor detected he was drinking.
Now, Smith’s troubles with the law are one thing and he’s going to have to deal with that. This is a guy that has no one in his life that will push him into therapy and medication, something he obviously needs. The NFL could save life, but simply won’t. Goodell is too happy to keep signing off on suspensions.
What about Justin Blackmon?
Blackmon was a college star wide receiver that looked like he was going to translate those gifts to the NFL after getting picked in the first round by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He lasted in the league a year and four games before his own self medicating cost him. Instead of alcohol or opiates, Blackmon decided to smoke marijuana. While that is, unquestionably, a more healthy and smarter option than opiates or alcohol, according to every legitimate piece of scientific data available, the NFL still wields a mighty hammer and decided to continually pound Blackmon in the head with it.
Countdown of 24 years of Biletnikoff Award Winners: 2010, Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State @JustBlack81 @CowboyFB @Jaguars #OutstandingReceiver #NCFAA pic.twitter.com/cXyeC3Vi2a
— Biletnikoff Award (@biletnikoffawrd) February 3, 2018
While the league should absolutely evaluate its marijuana ban, especially since it’s getting legalized across the country all the time, the Blackmon punishment is far too severe. Especially considering his downward spiral since his first ban. Like Smith, Blackmon obviously requires some mental health help. He needs a hand to reach out to him, not swat him back down. Unlike Manziel, Blackmon couldn’t even go on to play in the CFL as the NFL refused to let him sign with the Toronto Argonauts in 2015.
Needless to say, he got busted again for a DUI in 2015 after that. He’s since completed the terms of his probation, but the NFL once again denied his reinstatement last year for no reason that makes sense to me.
I could go one mentioning guys, Rolando McClain, Jalen Collins, Randy Gregory, Karlos Williams and so many more. Potential stars and contributing plays sent to their couch when they really need specific help.
@dallascowboys after Randy Gregory is allowed to resurrect his career and save his life, why don’t you do the same for Justin Blackmon?
— Blair Nelson (@BlairNelson2) May 13, 2018
I had a college football coach tell me one time that he’s probably the only father many of his players will ever have. The NFL is a business and businesses require certain rules. But there’s no reason to punish guys when the real problem is a fixable one inside their brain. Reach out, don’t just punish. Frankly, Aldon Smith’s life may literally depend on it.
