Weed is one thing, but Von Miller’s alleged drug use goes far deeper.
“The same arguments that justify marijuana use among athletes can not be made in addressing the use of speed and MDMA. These drugs are used to party all night, not to ease an aching knee. It’s one thing for an athlete to smoke (or eat) some pot before a marathon Xbox session. It’s quite another for one to use club drugs.”
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One should not begrudge an NFL athlete the occasional use of marijuana. The game of football is exceptionally taxing on the human body. Players endure massive amounts of pain.
If the drug can be legalized in certain states, and recognized widely for its medicinal value outside of professional sports, why would anybody think that athletes should not use it? They’re forced to ingest just about every other kind of pain killer imaginable.
Marijuana should not be banned by the NFL at all. But, since it is, enforcement of the ban should be weakened. It’s not legal in the NBA, either, but everybody knows that a majority of ballers use it regularly. The league can maintain its public stance on marijuana use while still allowing players to use it so long as they’re smart enough to dodge an occasional test (for which notice was given).
But Von Miller is not just accused of using marijuana. He is currently suspected, according to various reports, of ingesting MDMA (ecstasy / molly), a party drug used to lower inhibitions and to create euphoria, closeness and diminished anxiety.
It has now come out that Miller was also busted for using amphetamines before his rookie season. Amphetamines, also known as “speed”, have no known medical benefits.
The same arguments that justify marijuana use among athletes can not be made in addressing the use of speed and MDMA. These drugs are used to party all night, not to ease an aching knee. It’s one thing for an athlete to smoke (or eat) some pot before a marathon Xbox session. It’s quite another for one to use club drugs.
Von Miller make a whole lot of money – over $5 million a year – to be a star defensive player for the Broncos. That income comes with responsibilities. If He is suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season it will be an enormous blow to Denver’s defense in a season where expectations could not possibly be higher.
For Miller to have rolled the dice on a positive drug test was incredibly selfish and immature. But for him to have used club drugs is borderline insane. He has to realize that he has positioned himself as a role model. He has visited hospitals to meet with sick kids, started a charity to help buy glasses for children in need and supported charities of all kinds – mostly associated with young people. Does he not recognize the conflict he has created by ingesting hard drugs?
A person in Von Miller’s position simply must adhere to higher standards in his personal life than the rest of us. That may not seem entirely fair, but how many people would not jump at the chance to earn his salary even if it meant making some adjustments?
This situation is extremely disappointing. Miller is a person folks in Denver look up to. He is supposed to be a hero. In the year 2013 using marijuana doesn’t put hero status at risk. Use of MDMA and speed certainly does. Von Miller chose football as his path and he has achieved the ultimate goal – to play in the NFL. Now he has to play the part.
