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Detroit Lions Star C.J. Mosley's Weed Suspension Raises Eyebrows
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Detroit Lions star C.J. Mosley has addressed his controversial one-game suspension after allegedly disabling a hotel smoke alarm and being found with marijuana by hotel staff.
Anonymous sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that the incident took place at a hotel in London, where the Lions were competing in an overseas game. He was originally supposed to receive a two-week suspension, but coach Jim Caldwell announced on Monday that he would return to the field after only missing a single game and no practices.
Mosley apologized for his actions and said he accepted his punishment, but also said parts of the ESPN report weren’t accurate. "Everything in the report ain't what it is, but at the same time I've got to take responsibility for it,” he said. "It is what it is. I got to man up and take responsibility on that."
However, many football fans wondered why the Lions suspended Mosley for a first-time offense. Any NFL player who violates the league’s drug policy is supposed to be disciplined by the league itself and not their team, in addition to being required to take part in their substance abuse program. Players are not subject to suspension until a fourth offense. ESPN reported that Mosley and the NFL Players Association have since filed a grievance over lost wages for the game he sat out.
Last month, the NFL Players Union accepted a revised drug policy after years of back and forth between the union and the league. The changes included increasing the positive threshold for marijuana tests from 15 nanograms per milliliter to 35 nanograms/ml, as well as implementing human growth hormone testing for the current season. Players convicted of driving under the influence will also receive two-game suspensions for a first offense instead of the lack of punishment they previously received.
"This is a historic moment for our players and our league," said NFLPA President Eric Winston. "We have collectively bargained drug policies that will keep the game clean and safe, but also provide our players with an unprecedented level of fairness and transparency."
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