The NFL has continued to have off-field issues with players and front office personnel when it comes to drinking and driving. Now as the league considers lowering the penalties for those who test positive for marijuana, those caught drinking and driving might be facing stiffer penalties in the new substance-abuse policy.
From Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio:
"Per a league source, the new substance-abuse policy (which will be implemented once an HGH testing agreement is reached) would impose a one-game suspension for a first-offense DUI. The penalty also would include a fine in the amount of one game check."
As of right now, a player who is deemed legally responsible for a first-offense DUI will receiver a two-game fine. Only a second infraction would get you a suspension for a DUI under the current rules.
DUIs has been a problem for the league, and the most glaring example might be the incident surrounding Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent, who wrecked his car while drunk. Teammate Jerry Brown died as a result of the accident. Brent received probation for the incident and the judge made a comment that shows the seriousness of the issue in the NFL, at least with one team in particular.
“You are not the first Dallas Cowboy to kill someone with a motor vehicle,” the judge said to Brent after reading his sentence, via the Dallas Morning News, “but I hope you’re the last.”
Of course the Cowboys aren’t the only team to have issues with his, the Denver Broncos had a rash of DUIs in their front office. This new rule is still waiting to go into affect until the NFL and the NFL Player’s Association work out the HGH testing details.