Richard David Smith III
From the NFL Europe throwback jerseys to the range of accents around the tailgate party outside Wembley before kick-off the thirst for the NFL remains. It is no surprise, then, that the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, told local fans at a meeting on Saturday, “You are proving you are worthy of a franchise.”
So everything’s all good, right? Great times ahead both here and abroad…and then, Justin Blackmon happened. The Jaguars beastly wide receiver was suspended for the remainder of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy for the third time. What was becoming the lone bright spot for the future of the Jaguars just took another dark turn for the worse vis a vis his inner demons.
Teammate Cecil Shorts was supportive of his teammate, tweeting (in a series of four tweets), “”He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone” John 8:7. We all have our problems and issues it’s just some people are in the spotlight so you can see theres. So before you go judging and talking bad LOOK IN THE MIRROR!! I love this dude! Supporting him the whole way thru and will do whatever I can to help him. He is a great person, with a fun personality. He will get thru this, our team has his back and loves him. Major comeback coming just watch!! #WIDEOUTS”
Coach Gus Bradley was also supportive, yet understandably workmanlike in his assessment of the situation, saying, “”Don’t know if direction he’s going now could have been taken in June, but we’ve got him to point. He’s ready to take next step.”
Blackmon is eligible for reinstatement for the 2014 season and has now entered a treatment program. Here’s hoping that he gets all the help he needs with regards to a disease that is obviously serving as a huge impediment to what should be an otherwise brilliant career.
Looking Ahead
The 0-8 Jaguars head to Tennessee to face the rival Titans (4-4). This game isn’t what it once was when former Jags’ a red-faced coach Tom Coughlin and a mustached and mulletted Titans coach Jeff Fisher were scouring the sidelines, but it will have to do…for now. Speaking of Fisher, the scrappy Titans are coming off a win against their former coach behind a stellar performance from RB Chris Johnson, who the Jaguars beleaguered defense should be preparing to see plenty of come this Sunday.
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