Johnny Jolly has
applied for his ban from the NFL to be lifted after a two year absence from the
league. It has been a tumultuous two years for Jolly, having been arrested twice
(making a total of four codeine-related arrests), battling a severe opiate
addiction, serving six months in prison, and being granted early release from
his six year sentence. Jolly has been released on 10 years of ‘shock probation,’
in the hopes that his prison term has opened his eyes to the possible, even
likely, results of his continued abuse of codeine. He has expressed remorse for
his actions, admitted his addiction, actively sought help, and now wants to
play again. I, for one, think he deserves another chance to play in the NFL.
Now,
a chance to play and a roster spot are two vastly different things. I’m not
suggesting the Packers clear room for Jolly on the roster and hand him back his
starting role. Although he proved himself to be a dynamic player on the
defensive line during his four year career in Green Bay (two years as a full
time starter), there is no guarantee he’ll be able to play with the same speed
and intensity after such a long time away from the game. A prison regimented
diet, twice daily workouts, and a reported weight of 332 lbs (just seven lbs
over his playing weight) are reasons to believe he may have kept himself in
something resembling football shape. These reasons, from a strictly physical
standpoint, may be enough to earn him a tryout with the team that still retains
his rights as an NFL player.
Jolly
has served his time with both the state and the NFL. The nature of his crimes
were not of violence, or harassment, or malicious intent (as is so often the
case these days), but of addiction. Both of his parents battled addictions to
crack, and it is no secret that addiction is a hereditary trait. While genes do
not excuse the actions of a player who repeatedly broke the law, Jolly’s
transgressions do not show a lack of character or intentionally disruptive
behavior. In other words, we are not talking about Pacman Jones here, who by
the way is back in the league and the headlines.
The
Packers have a history (though not necessarily an extensive one) of granting
players with substance abuse problems a second chance. Koren Robinson and
Anthony Hargrove are both players who battled alcoholism (and NFL suspensions
as a result) that went on to be signed by the Packers. Let’s also not forget
the very public pain-killer addiction of one Brett Favre. These players all
admitted their problems, sought treatment, and went on to produce at the NFL
level. The very same path that Jolly appears to be on.
From
a purely financial standpoint, a tryout for Jolly would be essentially risk
free. His history of arrests and addiction render any signing bonus out of the
question, which means the player could simply be cut, resulting in no financial
recourse for the organization. Additionally, Jolly has expressed his strong
desire to return to the NFL. If a formerly productive, extremely inexpensive,
hungry for redemption player is knocking on your door for a chance to compete,
I think you’d be a fool to turn him away.
All
of this may be purely academic if Roger Goodell decides not to reinstate Jolly,
but I do not believe that will be the case. The commissioner has enough issues
right now with the NFLPA, and does not need to add one more point of
contention. I believe Jolly’s suspension from the league will be lifted, and
the decision will be in Green Bay’s hands (as the owners of his NFL rights on
the Reserve/Suspended by the commissioner list) as to whether or not he gets a
second chance. Here’s hoping he laces them up one more time and once again
wreaks havoc up the middle for opposing offenses.
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