Santonio Holmes: A Dope and His Dope

Holmes stopped by police with marijuana in his possession

The Santonio Holmes incident has hit the news wire. The facts continue to come out and what will happen as a result remains to be seen. I am of course overstating the obvious so let me get to my actual point.

This sickens me. Yeah, yeah everybody makes mistakes and some people don’t think marijuana is a big deal. “He was keeping it real dude, or he was just having fun” many will say. Then there are others who will be saying “this guys is a thug or oh great another Pacman.”

You know what I don’t care. Frankly this is unexcusable. Look I don’t care what your vice, habit, or hobby is but if it is against the code of conduct of your job then you have 3 choices and 3 choices only.

1 - totally abstain from your habit

2 - Don’t take the job

3 - Be as self absorbed in your vice as much as you want in the privacy of your home. Make it impossible to be seen or discovered in any way. That includes kicking any so called friend to the curb who would even think about flirting with bringing trouble on you. They need to make a choice also. Abstain, don’t be your friend, or do not ever be seen getting in trouble!

Let me emphasize that these choices are even more vital when breaking the law! Regardless of what the weed lovers of the world or other drug users want, illicit drugs are illegal! Yes, against the LAW! End of story. So I am being extremely generous on this matter. While I do not condone or advocate breaking the law I am suggesting at least to have the decency and dignity to break the law in the private confines of your own home.

And can some one explain how stupid you have to be to get in a car impaired or within a mile of any one else who is using? Seriously you can consider every possibility and scenario and the fact is you are a complete degenerate if you can’t draw the line there.

And why would you drive if you have enough cash to get a cool ride? Ever heard of a limo San man?

You know what? Maybe you should be banished. There are plenty of jobs where drug use or drunkenness can get you fired immediately. And the players union needs to step up and protect the majority of players who get it. Most NFL players know the drill. Hey look Holmes isn’t the only NFL player that digs a joint or hangs with reefer rangers. There are plenty of them. Plenty! But most of them have the brains and discipline to keep it to themselves. So the ones who are this pathetic should have to pay back there signing bonus and go get a real job. The league and the union should castigate them and make an example of them. It is not hard to keep your drugs or your drug friends completely out of the public.

Worst part is this has an effect on his workmates and their ability to “sell” their product. And this rips off the fans who support his company. It also has a cumulative effect on the NFL product. Sponsors are a nervous bunch.

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Can the Steelers still beat the Giants? Sure they can but Holmes is important to their plans. He helps move the chains for example. And they already are not doing so well on third down conversions. He also helps open up opportunities for Hines Ward.

In the end the game moves on and the rest of the team has to play with the team they have. As for us? I’ll never get these kinds of situations regardless of whether it is an NFL player or Fred the factory supervisor.

Can you tell I’m a bit perturbed?

By Andy Natalie
ProFootball-fans.com Pittsburgh Steelers Correspondent