The Giants face the Steelers Sunday afternoon in 2008's first real Game of the Century (we were subjected to roughly 10 of them during the Patriots historic Run to FAIL last year). But after spending Thursday morning in the hospital undergoing tests on his neck and shoulder, wideout Plaxico Burress's status is in doubt. Quarterback Eli Manning could be without his favorite target, but it wouldn't be the first time this season; New York managed to squeak by Seattle 44-6 back in Week 5.
And while the Steelers will have their full complement of wide receivers, that could be short lived. You see, Santonio Holmes, the team's 2006 first-round pick, was pulled over last night. Not necessarily a big deal if you're sober. Unfortunately, the cops also found weed in Holmes' SUV, which suddenly makes it a big deal.
From the Observer-Reporter's Dale Lolley:
There has been no confirmation on the report, but the revelation could lead to an eventual suspension of Holmes if convicted of possession.So, Steelers fans, good news: Holmes will play this weekend! Bad news: He could earn a suspension at some point in the near future. Police found Jags wide receiver Matt Jones in the back of a truck with some coke, and although he entered a drug treatment program to a wildly applauding courtroom (drug courts rock!), he's still probably looking at a three-game suspension.
The severity of a suspension would depend on if Holmes has tested positive in the past for marijuana. First-time offenders in the NFL's drug program are not suspended and are instead entered into the NFL's drug offender program, getting increased testing.
Holmes has had two prior run-ins with the fuzz, both before the start of the '06 season, and that could impact the severity of his league-sanctioned punishment. On the upside, Pittsburgh police officer James Vogel sounds like he's willing to be a character witness.
Vogel said Holmes was very cooperative, respectful and wasn't impaired. He thinks that should be taken into account when it comes to any potential action taken against him by the Steelers and the NFL.Wait, what? A police officer wouldn't be suspended without pay if he was found to have pot in his car? Is that his patrol cruiser or his off-duty ride? You know, because it makes a difference.
"We wouldn't expect a steelworker to be laid off or suspended without pay," said Vogel. "I wouldn't expect a police officer, firefighter or a member of the Steelers."
In related news: the NFL will definitely find a way to fine Hines Ward for this.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-24-2008 @ 10:45AM
Michael Garin said...
This is absurd. The meds Santonio Holmes gets from team doctors are probably far worse for him than a couple of hits on a joint. Can we please grow up?
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10-24-2008 @ 11:30AM
frank said...
I agree with u but if the league said diet pepsi is illegal and we dont want u taking it than that would be the last day I drank it. Its all about rules and following the rules. Unfortunatley a lot of these players are ghetto and can't handle being in the spot light.
10-25-2008 @ 7:33PM
Brice Dudley said...
Although I personally believe that weed is no worse than alcohol, the problem is the fact that marijuana is still illegal. For the life of me, I cannot figure out how time after time, these idiots keep getting busted. If I had tthe opportunity that these "pros" have, I would either be at the practice facility, the gym, home, or suiting up for game time.
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10-24-2008 @ 12:08PM
matt said...
you're right brice, some of these football players seem to take their success for granted; they are well paid and shouldn't be screwing up in their life off the field.
10-24-2008 @ 11:42AM
Robert Dog said...
Home depot is hiring!
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10-24-2008 @ 6:19PM
Riley said...
They drug test.
10-24-2008 @ 11:43AM
weeebles said...
pot should be legal ! ! ! ! ! !
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10-24-2008 @ 11:43AM
Mary said...
National FELON league
He can play in Dallas or Cincinnati next year
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10-24-2008 @ 6:33PM
tim said...
mary is right,
the sheriffs bus shows up after game time in cincinnati!!!!!
10-24-2008 @ 1:03PM
becky said...
dont get me wrong, i have NO problem with pot.......but if i were making MILLIONS of dollars and knew my job does not tolerate breaking the silly "law", i think i could find something else to party with.
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10-24-2008 @ 11:53AM
Ray Householder said...
I hope Mr Rooney sends him on his way. If one millionaire on the team gets away with it then there will be a 2nd try it. Dallas is hiring
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10-24-2008 @ 5:27PM
Woodrow said...
Isn't playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers "High" enough?
They cut a player earlier this year for spousal abuse, so they should cut Holmes also. Here's hoping that the Giants beat the Steelers pot smoking a$$es!
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10-24-2008 @ 12:04PM
me64250 said...
How dumb is dumb? Here's a comment to all my brothers who are professional athlete, entertainers (all the same) or any other Black person who has a pulse, WAKE THE F**K UP!!!!! YOU ARE A TARGET BECAUSE OF YOUR COLOR, CELEBRITY, CAR YOU DRIVE ETC!!! You should know better, especially residing in the new South of the North that is Pittsburgh, PA!!! The cops (the vast majority are white & jealous) are just looking for a reason to pull a Black man over just to gamble on whether he's "clean" or not. They do this under the guise of having a "reasonable suspicion". Then the next move is to bet on the NY Giants to win the football game against the Steelers on Sunday. He'll recieve a "pat on the back" and make some money on the game too, because one of our star players is either not playing or he's "menatlly fried" because of the arrest. I'm not saying that Mr. Holmes was right, I'm saying he was DUMB!!!!!!!!
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10-24-2008 @ 12:19PM
worrieduscitizen said...
I agree 100% with Michael! Can we PLEASE grow up? What a human being does on his or her on free time should not affect his or her job. Weed is not a drug when are we all gonna stand up and realize this? It is only the government that has labeled it as a drug it is in fact a WEED. Our first president of the United States has grown it. I mean come on if i get busted for pot should it affect my job? HELL NO! its my own personal time what i do then is my business and that is why there are laws. So the NFL and the teams should stay out. Im sure he will and any other American will accept his or her punishment only because the law says its illegal and we or ppl make our own decisions and yes we do know it is illegal. So we as Americans need to get a clue and just stand up and fight for legalization. We are wasting way to much money and time on this fight that the only ones winning are the lawyers and it will not stop until legalization. Our government anfd the NFL have far more problems to worry about than a weed like alcohol since that is far worse than weed.
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10-24-2008 @ 12:41PM
Mary Jane said...
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not Weed
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10-24-2008 @ 12:54PM
Jerry Desaulniers said...
There are two sides to the story. 1. The weed advocates side of which I am not 2. Those who wonder why someone would risk a million dollar job, OK I don't know that much about it but I thought that it was easily detectable through drug screening. If he didn't get caught by some racist cop then he surely would get caught by some racist drug screener(sorry for the racist joke). Anyways he's a good player and probably not a bad guy but the rules are to protect the young fans that idolize the players!
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10-25-2008 @ 2:26PM
Mike D said...
What burns me up is how all of these celebrities have the ordasity to do drugs and basicly think they can get away with the illigal acts because of there status. If this was you or me we would be behind bars.With the money they make they should be enjoying life to the fullist!!! Start paying them what the avarage person makes and see how much drugs they do. They all make me sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10-24-2008 @ 1:10PM
worrieduscitizen said...
Jerry! thats another story.We need to let our young Americans know that what one person does doesnt mean that we should follow in his or her foot steps. Just because someone smokes pot, crack or drinks and drives doesnt mean its right. America does it to ourself we are the ones putting these athletes and celebrties in the lime light. Im pretty sure there not asking us, all of us to follow what they do.
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10-27-2008 @ 6:15PM
DUECE said...
OF COURSE POT SHOULD BE LEGAL. hell- look at how much money our gov. would make if it started packaging packs of joints like cigarettes! can you say "out of a national debt"? can you say "no more wall st issues"? alcohol is far worse health-wise and much more dangerous. cigarettes are also worse health wise- santonio holmes best bet to cure aches and pains is to smoke- its a lot better for him in the long run than percs, viks, cortozone, or any of the other crap these athletes put in their bodies. "role model"? c'mon most of these guys are from backgrounds and are a part of somehting we should NEVER want our kids "idolizing" just cuz we cant see it on the field doesnt mean it dont exist- i'd rather tell my kid to smoke pot than play with a concussion- or a broken hand- or shoot up with growth hormone. but noooo, all thats fine. they are still "role models" B. S. ...smoke it up santonio!
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10-24-2008 @ 2:11PM
Jenkins said...
Bullsh.it...Weed is not that serious. If there was nothing good to come from it then it wouldn't be supplied as a medicine in many states. One day the country will wake up and realize that busting people for marijuana is a waste of time and money. If he was not threatening and did not appear intoxicated that what was the purpose of searching for drugs. The purpose was because he is black and they probably hoped to find a pistol or something like that, when they didn't they had to justify themselves by making the arrest on marijuana. Being a white man who has been caught with marijuana, I have never been sited or arrested. The cops that I have come across usually make you dispose of it in there prescense and let you on your way. I believe because he is black and a star athlete is the reason he was cited. The nation is fuc.ked. Stop arresting people for bull.shi.t charges and sending them to jail for the charges. USA is wasting my tax dollars by doing this. I think I might move to Canada.
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