First and foremost I would like to acknowledge that I am completely aware that this article is going to be labeled irresponsible, but quite simply it is something that needs to be said.
Triple code superstar Karmichael Hunt has already pleaded guilty to cocaine possession charges while Australian rugby league international Greg Bird has joined a number of Titans teammates under investigation and pending charges of their own.
Shifting the investigation to one side for the moment, a number of commentators, ‘experts’, pundits and sections of the media have labeled their involvement as ‘outrageous’, ‘intolerable’, ‘disgusting’ among a myriad of other degrading terms while pushing for the players to receive lifetime bans.
I am here to tell you that this criticism is the height of hypocrisy.
Firstly, let us turn our attention to the past, namely, 1998. Matt Seers, a former NSW Origin representative, sat out the entire season after an O.T Genesis-like admission about his drug use. After all, he was very much in love with the coco.
He returned the following season playing out a successful career and not one person batted an eye. Why? Because he had the ‘courage’ to admit he had a problem? This isn’t a 12-step program, it is a professional sporting organisation.
If he had been caught via drug testing, I am positive (pun intended) that Seers would have endured far more then a 12-month self-imposed sabbatical. I pledge that it had more to do with the fact that it brought no performance prosperity to Seers, a greater example for this point is none other then one of the eight immortals.
Shortly after retiring, legendary halfback Andrew Johns admitted to having used illicit drugs for essentially the entirety of his career. Despite this acknowledgement, Johns has since gone on to be honoured with team of the century status, several influential halves coaching appointments, immortal status and a successful (and lucrative) career with the media.
Yes with the media, yes on national TV, yes in front of millions every week. And personally I am glad he has.
While I am by no means condoning Johns nor Seers and their habits and actions, looking at their situations with even the slightest glance accentuates the hypocrisy of the criticism being directed at those engulfed in the current saga. Particularly in the case of Johns given that these critics are in fact his contemporaries, the same who while attacking the players in question will happily work or catch up with Johns any day of the week.
Coming full circle, the key point regarding both Seers and Johns is that they by and large have escaped any real ramifications (given that Seers’ recent drugs charge is a completely separate incident to the 1998 issue) from their actions and I believe this can simply be attributed to the fact that what they were taking, using and/or supplying was of no unfair benefit to the very source of their financial destiny.
Rheir drug use didn’t make them better players nor did it increase their (legitimate) earning capacity. I’m not going to go so far as to calling their actions and that of the scandal players, victimless crimes but the crux of the matter is that the scandal is incredibly personal in nature.
The active players directly implicated in the scandal are not part of some major crime and drug syndicate. It is for personal use and perhaps that of a few friends.
Let me make it very clear, I do not like drugs and I do not use them but by the same token I’m not going to react like the Indonesian government when a football player happens to be involved with them.
Further continuing on that point, people are mad if they think this collection of less then 10 players are the only professional union, AFL and league players using drugs.
I would say over 30 per cent of players would use illicit drugs at some point during their careers.
Shock, horror, gasp! Take a quick second to look at the alumni involved in rugby league and union. These are not doctors or lawyers – whom by the way would very much so be dabbling into drugs themselves.
If you want further proof that illicit drug use is something that touches every realm of Australian society, professional sport included, statistics from 2013 indicated that eight million people over the age of 14, that’s a whopping 42 per cent of the nation, had admitted to taking illicit drugs at some point. You can guarantee further that the real percentage is probably closer to 50 per cent given some peoples reservations toward admitting illegal substance use.
They are sportsmen. Obviously just because you are a sports person it doesn’t mean that you use drugs, but let me ask you a question. When you were going through high school what clique was it that embraced that party culture?
Who would have the big weekends that couldn’t be discussed around teaching staff the next Monday? Typically it was your jock footballing group and for those who happen to live under a rock the rowdier parties with the ‘in-crowd’ were typically the ones where drugs came out to play.
With this in mind can I ask why we are holding these people to a higher standard than anyone else?
These players do not deserve to have their careers ended because of a questionable act they chose to do in private, that does not effect the successful performance of their jobs and that 42 per cent of our society is involved in themselves.
Fining them? Cool. But you tell me the last investment banker who wasn’t allowed to continue representing clients due to substance abuse – no you can’t point to Jordan Belfort.
Furthermore for those arguing “oh but they are role models, they deserve to be held to a higher level of accountability” I have a number of issues with you. Let me break them down for you.
US President Barack Obama has openly admitted his fondness for marijuana and cocaine, yet his career as president of the most powerful nation was not forced into an abrupt retirement.
Emulation is not an issue, even remotely. Do you really think your eight-year old football fan son is going to say “Gee Dad I want to be just like Karmichael when I grow up and snort cocaine with a 20 dollar bill while I throw baggies around the room”.
Even an eight year old is smart enough to differentiate right from wrong and profession – namely a footballer (the only thing he might actually want to emulate) from an incredulous hobby, so why aren’t you?
And last but certainly not least for you role model fiends, has anyone actually remembered that these people are people first and footballers second? People have flaws, people make mistakes, people let tries get scored on the seventh tackle.
People should not be chastised for a momentary lapse of judgment or a slight deficiency in their character, they should be given a second chance especially in this situation. What would have happened if we imposed a lifetime ban on Wendell Sailor? He paid his penance, was a joy to watch (and hear) and surprise, surprise he too has wound up as an ambassador, spokesman and media personality.
The figure heads behind these rugby league and union organisations don’t seem to mind offering individuals such as Johns and Sailor a chance at redemption so I ask of you to follow suit, let these people pay their penance but do not forever ban them from our sports.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
PJM, I tried to avoid the good/bad argument, because people are divided on this issue. I tried to emphasise the illegality, because it is a major image problem for any organisation, and because it's a factor that won't go away -- as I said, even if some people think it's okay to use drugs -- to buy drugs, to use drugs and to sell or provide drugs is illegal/against the law. Other people think it's okay to steal things, other people think it's okay to speed, or travel on trains without tickets, or to abuse people because of their race or gender. Those thoughts are irrelevant to an organisation that is trying to market a wholesome image.
pjm
Roar Rookie
It's funny how every argument about how drugs are bad the reasons given are only those that are there because they are illegal, not because of the drug itself.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Bird can't plead guilty because apparently he is on his last strike so any admission of guilt would result in his contract being cancelled.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
The precedent was set when Matt Seers or Wendell Sailor were rubbed from the game for a season. Why plead guilty knowing that Dave Smith and his cronies will impose a very long overkill suspension? Hunt got off lightly with a six game suspension (backdated), so should the Titans players be any different (if guilty)? Sniffing powder compared to sexually assaulting a woman (Ferguson) or bashing a pregnant partner (Lui) - massive difference, but if plead guilty, Titans players know they will get longer sentences then those cases, as the NRL does not set precedents...
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
I move in social and cultural circles where drugs (including legal drugs like alcohol and tobacco) are virtually non-existent -- apart from the regular blood pressure pill, anti-depressant, and pain-killer. Yet even there, large numbers of people have used/do use/will use drugs recreationally. It includes medical professionals, lawyers, tertiary administrators, and tradies, shopkeepers and unemployed people. So it's not news that people use drugs. It's not news that footbal players leave used syringes around the place, or use Peruvian marching powder. The problem for the NRL (and other employers) is that the drugs used in this case are illegal. I haven't seen anyone in court using the defence that "I plead not guilty because 42% of people over 14 have also done it". So the employer is expected to outline acceptable standards and have policies in place when they are breached, and the players may face legal proceedings. People may not like the fact that it's illegal, but that's a different issue. The quantities involved may be small compared to a Colombian drug ring, but legally they may constitute suppliable quantities (unless the accused can prove otherwise, e.g. heavy personal use). The most worrying part of the "drugs scandal" that doesn't get enough air time, is the fact that obtaining cocaine (or heroin, lsd, marijuana, ice etc) is illegal. In order to get it, you would normally have to associate with someone who has also obtained it illegally (a criminal). This puts a footie player in a tough position -- drugs (and women, gambling, etc) can be used as leverage to get a player to arrange the results of a match. The NRL would have been aware of this link, I would imagine -- but gambling interests would have definitely been aware of the link, too.
Johnnyball
Guest
That's the problem with making sportspeople role models, can't make errors of judgement like Joe Average. Charges were upgraded only to produce an investigation I believe.
James Preston
Roar Guru
This reminds me of how Steve Irwin got the chop off the back of Todd Carney's drunken joyride years ago - hopefully if Bird is sacked it is due to repeated indiscretions and not this incident in isolation, which of course, is what his compatriots should be scrutinised for solely. With Bird I think the whole "one's a drop kick, always a drop kick" is more than applicable.
James Preston
Roar Guru
Excellent comment. In my opinion Smith is the worst CEO the organisation has ever had. Any sense of reasonableness that was once in the game has been removed in favour of fear mongering and money grabbing. He is a businessmen in the worst sense, completely out of touch with the actual game he is representing.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
I agree, yet we see Hunt's fine & suspension from the ARU. I think that is proportionate. The problem for the titans players, is they know under the current Smith regime of "think of the children", they will get absolutely smashed fine wise, and be out for 1-2 seasons. The biggest problem with the NRL with any fines or suspensions, is that they never set precedents. There is no consistency with their procedures or decision making. Seeing Junior Paulo get suspended for 9 weeks for essentially a swing around and fall down tackle was overkill, or seeing Tyrone Roberts get put on report and an 8 pint try being awarded are a real killer for the many many many RL fans who have recently been disenfranchised from the current game.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Everybody seems to be thinking about this issue in extremes. Either they should all be banned for life, or they should be given a stern talking to and return to the field next round. I don't like the idea of a player getting rubbed out for life because of criminal activity in their youth. In a civilised society, we reward people who turn their lives around by giving them another chance. Danny Wicks and Manu Ma'u are two names who have served prison sentences for their crimes, re-entered society and demonstrated that they can be assets to the community. Guys like that deserve a second chance. However, they also deserved to be punished for the crimes they committed. In short, I think the NRL should take the approach that a player isn't banned for life, they are only banned until they can demonstrate that their bad behaviour is in the past and they are committed to positive contributions to society in the future.
up in the north
Guest
It's incredibly self serving of Bird. The only winner out of this tawdry mess will be the lawyer.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
For those who it was a first offense, no I don't. They should have worked with club similar to Hunt did with the ARU, negotiated the penalty, and moved on from the issue. Yeah it may have cost them 6 week ban and a fine, but that would have been the end of it all. Problem was that Bird doesn't have the same recourse, and needed the other players to also plead not guilty so he had a chance. Not that I think he twisted there arms, but as a senior player, I'm sure him stating he will plead not guilty had a major influence in the decision to all plead that way as did using the same lawyer. Those players if found guilty, will probably serve a longer ban from the game now and heavier fines, because they are dragging the game through the mud for much longer. May 8th is when the court case is scheduled for, so 2 more months of easy media on the case, plus whatever happens after that (who knows how long the court case may go).
up in the north
Guest
So as an outsider without all the facts do you think a not guilty plea was the right move?
pjm
Roar Rookie
Sounds like they used better code words than Hunt.
Gazzatron
Guest
Great article. If Burgess and Sutton are playing then the titans should be too. What's more concerning to me is the fact that I won't be watching any channel 9 games until they upgrade to high definition!!! Watch the super rugby on a Friday arvo in NZ and then tell me how I'm supposed to watch the fuzzy channel 9 game at 730!? Screw you channel 9!!!
up in the north
Guest
I also get the feeling the other Titans are showing solidarity with Bird, to their detriment. The precedent was set with Hunts fine and subsequent suspension and QRU fine. The Titans boys have made a major mistake by pleading not guilty, the NRL won't like it one bit, it reeks of not showing remorse. Where there's smoke there's fire. Admit to it and let the game move on.
pjm
Roar Rookie
In QLD selling is labelled trafficking, getting some for yourself is labelled supply even if you got it for no one else.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
"These players do not deserve to have their careers ended because of a questionable act they chose to do in private, that does not effect the successful performance of their jobs" I think when you look at this situation, no one is asking anyone to end someone's career. But on the other side of the coin, Greg Bird has done a lot of dumb things, and was already on his last roll of the dice with the Titans. He is someone who doesn't accept responsibility for his actions, and no club can afford to have players like that, no matter how good they are. The worst part of it, is this time he has dragged others into pleading not guilty, because that's Greg Birds only chance to salvage his career at the Titans, if the others pleaded guilty and accepted a similar fine and ban as Hunt did, this would be fish and chip wrapper stuff, but now it will drag on for a lot longer, which in my book, makes it even worse.
Freddy from Bondi
Guest
While I agree with the article...the NRL has gone through sooo many scandals in recent years that it cant be seen to just let this slip by the wayside (no matter how minor it might really be). The fact is, with this fresh on the back of the ASADA scandal, its clear that drugs are rife in the sport...I think the only possible thing the NRL can do to clean the image of the sport up, is to go hard on those caught using. You can only hope that is serves as a deterrent to other players thinking about using (and hopefully minimise the chances of further scandals).
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Like I said earlier I'm happy to have Bird and co back playing in round 10 or less like Hunt will be if they were only idiots who liked to party a bit much. If it's some kind of legit selling that's a diff story. Not just getting some for mates to join them with