NFL.com reports Green Bay Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly received a year long suspension without pay from the NFL friday. The suspension could actually be longer since the suspension was indefinite due to him Jolly violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. And this is the least of his problems.
Jolly was arrested in 2008 outside a Houston, TX nightclub, for possessing 200 grams of codeine. Yes, codeine, the same drug that JaMarcus Russell was arrested for in Alabama earlier this month. It is the main ingredient need to make ‘purple drank’ aka ‘sizzurp’. *cue 3-6-Mafia*
If convicted, Jolly could face up to 20 years in prison. That is the bulk of a person’s life, let alone his NFL career, which no matter the verdict in the criminal trail, cannot begin until after the 2011 Super Bowl. At that point he will have to do the same thing Michael Vick and Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones did….ask the Godfather Commissioner Roger Goddell to be reinstated.
The Green Bay Packers have not released Johnny Jolly yet. “Johnny is a good player that loves everything about the game of football,” Packers general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement. “We appreciate the contributions he has made to the Packers the past four seasons. His focus and priorities now lie elsewhere – our thoughts are with him during this difficult personal time.” I am quite sure that the Packers are hoping for a not guilty verdict as much as Jolly will be. He was very instrumental in their league low 83.3 yards per game last season. Dom Capers 3-4 defense is not exactly a ‘plug-and-go’ scheme, Jolly will be sorely missed at his position.
At this time, a trial date has not been set.
Erikka is the newest member of the BSO staff and resident female voice. You can follow her on twitter here.