How long are these guys going to be suspended?
LSU sophomore defensive backs Tharold Simon and Tyrann Mathieu and sophomore running back Spencer Ware were suspended from Saturday’s football game against Auburn.
Despite their absence, the team seemed to fare quite well.
The individuals in question were suspended for failing a drug test, a source told The Daily Reveille on Wednesday. The Times-Picayune reported the players tested positive for synthetic marijuana.
Until last week, I had no idea there was even a test for synthetic marijuana. Because it is marketed as a “potpourri” and not meant for human consumption, many, including myself, had no idea what was in it.
But — lo and behold — there is a test, and our boys tested positive for it.
I also discovered this past week that Facebook can be a real pain. When news of their suspensions broke, there were numerous posts about how stupid the players were and how nobody could believe they would ever do something like this.
Well, they did. Do you know why?
Because they are human.
Normally, I would argue in defense of these gentlemen, advocating their right to get high just like the rest of us. I would hail their ability to do so and also the fact they are able to maintain athletic supremacy on the field, despite occasionally huffing the devil’s lettuce. They are the Michael Phelpses of this University.
However, today is not that day.
Mathieu, Simon and Ware, along with all other LSU football players, signed a deal with the devil when they agreed to play football here. They became property of this University.
Upon becoming property of this University, they became subject to certain rules and regulations. Abide by those restrictions, and they are transformed overnight into national sports celebrities.
Here is how I see it: Go to class, don’t screw around and don’t use drugs during football season. That’s all these guys have to do in order to be football superstars.
It’s not about the pot — synthetic or not. I would defend their right to smoke pot if they had not signed a contract saying they would abstain. This is about abiding by the rules these individuals and the rest of the football team agreed to follow.
Do this, don’t do that, and everybody will know your name.
As far as the suspensions go, we need these players back before the Alabama game. We have a great team even with these guys on the bench, but we have an even better team when they play.
Having royally screwed up a few times in my life, I have always been a fan of second chances. Mathieu, Simon and Ware have been out one game already, and this was an in-house drug test administered by LSU. LSU can reinstate these guys anytime it wants.
I recommend it doesso immediately.
These players have learned their lessons. Listen up, guys, you won the genetic lottery; the rest of us did not. You have been given an opportunity to receive a free education, become famous and potentially play professionally in a few years.
All you have to do is not get high during the season. Leave that to the common folk.
 
Parker Cramer is a 20-year-old political science junior from Houston. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_pcramer.
 
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Contact Parker Cramer at [email protected]