Justin Blackmon of the Jacksonville Jaguars has been suspended indefinitely without pay for violating the National Football League Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. Blackmon’s suspension begins immediately. He will be eligible to apply for reinstatement prior to the start of the 2014 season.
He was an extremely high draft pick, and I guess he’s getting extremely high off the field now too. One of the top receivers taken in his class, Blackmon is also one of the Jags top wideouts; at least talent wise. Jacksonville moved up two spots to draft him fifth overall. It’s another hit for the Jaguars who can’t sell tickets. What fans want to show up for this team?
They’re winless, they have no passing attack and look like a lock to the get the top pick. Therefore, fans gearing to buy tickets for NFL games are best served by avoiding Jacksonville as the opponent, because you won’t see much of a game. The opposition won’t do much. Of course Jaguars tickets are readily available.
[Note: The league’s Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse is posted on nflmedia.com. From the home page, click on “Resources” and then “About the”]
Here’s the statement from the Jaguars official page:
STATEMENT BY JAGUARS GENERAL MANAGER DAVID CALDWELL:
“All of us who are a part of the Jaguars family care very deeply about Justin Blackmon and his well-being. That said, he must be held accountable and accept the consequences announced today by the National Football League. His suspension will provide him the opportunity to receive the attention and professional treatment necessary to overcome his challenges, and we will support him during this time. The Jacksonville Jaguars will evaluate Justin’s status once he has successfully met the criteria to be considered for reinstatement to the league.”
So what’s the substance Blackmon abused? It’s rumored to be marijuana. In a season and a half with Jacksonville, Blackmon has 1,100+ yards, 83 catches and 6 TDs. On July 5, 2013, Blackmon underwent groin surgery. The Jaguars placed Blackmon on the PUP list in which he missed training camp and the start of the preseason. Blackmon returned to the active roster and practiced on 8/12/2013. In his first game back from suspension, Blackmon caught 5 passes for 136 yards and a Touchdown. His next game, against the Denver Broncos had 14 catches for 190 yards
On April 20, 2013, Blackmon received a four-game suspension for violating the league’s Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. He missed the first four games of the Jaguars’ 2013 regular season.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. He’s also an analyst for multiple news talk radio stations across the world; with regular weekly segments on NBC and Fox Sports Radio. Follow him on (@paulmbanks) and RSS