December 2, 2005

ESPN suspends The PlayMaker : Apparently, ESPN didn't buy the PlayMaker's "I was Innocent" either. They have suspended him for aweek. Funny that they let him plead his case, he had all the answers, said all the right things and then ESPN suspends him because he didn't tell them he was arrested. Is there more to the story than we have heard?

read story | posted by Wrigley South to Football at 8:20 AM CDT (45 comments total)

I bet He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named (T.O.) is mad because we haven't mentioned him all morning on SportsFilter.com

posted by Wrigley South at 8:22 AM CDT on December 2

Come to think of it, my Mother didn't buy the ol' "It belongs to a friend'' line when she found that bottle of Southern Comfort in my car during high school.

posted by Wrigley South at 8:26 AM CDT on December 2

You no what, my mother didnt buy the whole "It belongs to a friend" line when she found a naked girl in my bed in high school either.

posted by steelcityguy at 8:37 AM CDT on December 2

The paraphernalia charge is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $500 fine.

Stiff penalties for a fucking paraphernalia charge. I got nailed in, um I mean a friend of mine got nailed in East New York with a god damn grinder (cops in BK do not fuck around) and I, I mean he only got hit with was A.C.O.D.

posted by HATER 187 at 8:42 AM CDT on December 2

"Yeah Mom, I was keeping her warm for a friend. He'll be back in a minute. Don't stand in the doorway you might get knocked down. We ARE working here."

My father caught me into a little something the summer before my senior year in high school. I mean what do you say?
"Hey Pop, Sorry about having this hot blonde college freshman, National Honor Student in my bed, but you get mad when I get the carpet messy."

posted by Wrigley South at 8:45 AM CDT on December 2

This is over Marijuana? If, as Ben Franklin, (a true man), would say, "beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy", then why the nearly hysterical reaction of some ganga? I'm not a Irwin fan at all, but this prohibition over weed when soooo much more destructive vices/choices are legal makes me sympathize.

posted by RedStrike at 8:55 AM CDT on December 2

Uh......uh.....It's uh.....my freinds pipe. Yeah that's it. My freinds pipe see? Yeah......uh....uh...That silly guy. He's always smoking pot around me and my family so......I uh...I took it. Yeah that's it. I took it and put it in my car. Yeah. I know it's not mine. It's his. Yeah.

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted by Heinrick at 9:07 AM CDT on December 2

I actually am an Irwin fan

posted by steelcityguy at 9:07 AM CDT on December 2

I am sure glad you guys are the "experts" to this whole issue.. ESPN is acting like most employers would act. Your personal stories are funny but they have nothing to do with the Playmaker.

posted by daddisamm at 9:18 AM CDT on December 2

Who's this Irwin guy and why are we talking about him? On the subject of a guy named Michael IRVIN, ESPN is in a business where image is everything. They don't have the luxury of sitting back and deciding which laws their on-air employees need to adhere to and which ones they can ignore. Whether I think pot should be illegal or not is not the point. Irvin had his shot as a TV personality, even after his past transgressions, and he still couldn't manage. Whether it's petty or not, that's the reality. If some of you can smoke your brains out and still keep your factory jobs, well more power to you. There are a lot of professions that don't tolerate these issues, or drug test, or both. Play these sort of games at your own risk. You may find yourself unemployed.

posted by dyams at 9:19 AM CDT on December 2

If all this is is that Irvin didn't call the office after getting busted, then taking a week off might be an appropriate and welcome thing on both sides. The rest of it is still in the land of innocent-until-proven-guilty.

Although I can't imagine Plano, TX being a bastion of drug tolerance, especially for parolees of color driving overly-fine automobiles in the wrong part of town. (Spofites who live in the area, feel free to contradict this.)

posted by chicobangs at 9:19 AM CDT on December 2

Daddisamm is just mad because he doesn't have any good "I was keeping her warm for a friend" stories to tell.

posted by Wrigley South at 9:43 AM CDT on December 2

This is about pot? Who the hell checks into a rehab center for pot?

posted by 86 at 9:56 AM CDT on December 2

Nicely said Dyams,
As a teacher, I would get drug tested if I had an accident/injury at work. If you have a license to drive a bus, (as numerous coaches are) you are tested at random.

posted by Wrigley South at 10:02 AM CDT on December 2

Daddisamm will get his revenge when we're all being kept warm -- IN HELL.

This Irvin story is completely playmakered out. How many days of outrage can people milk from a misdemeanor?

posted by rcade at 10:13 AM CDT on December 2

Daddi

I don't think ESPN did anything wrong, but i do think he is getting hit pretty hard for a paraphernalia charge. If the Irving was smoking and driving, ok throw the book at him but the stuff the found had residue on it.

I think chico is on to something about his colour and his wealth and fame also had something to do with the severity of the punishment, but I always thought we are all equal in the eyes of the law.

posted by HATER 187 at 10:14 AM CDT on December 2

i think Daddisamm smokes

posted by steelcityguy at 10:15 AM CDT on December 2

This is about pot? Who the hell checks into a rehab center for pot?

"marijuana is not a drug, i use to suck dick for coke. Now that's an addiction man. you ever suck some dick for marijuana?"

posted by HATER 187 at 10:22 AM CDT on December 2

Yes Hater I would say that was an addiction.

Along those same lines, (Though not to belittle your revelation above) I used to suck bottles for beer, I did last night in fact. Probably will again tonight

posted by Wrigley South at 10:30 AM CDT on December 2

HATER, I think it's hilarious that Wrigley thinks you sucked dick for coke.

posted by 86 at 10:36 AM CDT on December 2

me too.

posted by HATER 187 at 10:39 AM CDT on December 2

I wasn't judging Hater for his recreation choices...Just pickin' on ya Hater, but DUDE! preface something like that with "Hey Guys this is a quote I found..."
Wrigs

posted by Wrigley South at 10:42 AM CDT on December 2

It's all good

posted by HATER 187 at 10:48 AM CDT on December 2

Why is irvin sill called playmaker when he should assume his contemporary title of PLAYED-OUT. Or maybe SMOKED-OUT. OR Reformed PLAY-FAKER. OR LIE-N-SAC. What's up with that?

posted by T$PORT4lawschool at 10:49 AM CDT on December 2

In California, a pot pipe isn't illegal. It's not considered paraphernalia. Paraphernalia is used to ingest or inject a controlled substance. Weed isn't a controlled substance. Meth, coke, heroin- those will completely fuck up a persons life, and a felony to possess. There are a lot worse things in the world than marijuana. But ESPN or any organization such has an image to uphold. I would not want any of my employees who work in a high profile job to have to constantly answer questions about their drug use. It sheds a negative image, as far as I'm concerned, on the employee and the employer.

posted by Desert Dog at 10:52 AM CDT on December 2

I think it is funny how we start out discussing Irwin/Irvin's drug use etc and end up talking about Hater's eating disorder. This has quickly degenerated.
Wrigs

posted by Wrigley South at 11:01 AM CDT on December 2

This whole story makes me happy when I stick my (very stoned) head out the window of my firend's car as the cops pass by on their way to combating some genuine crime (like why Tim Horton's is using day old timbits at 5:00 on a Saturday - that's a 317. Not many people know that), breathe in the glorious crisp December air, and remember that I live in a land called Canada.

Sure you have to wear mitts and hats a few months out of the year - and your paycheck always seems a little light, but dammit, I don't go in for drug tests, I do my job and when the cops harrass you for smoking weed, you can be damned sure its because they've run out and need some more.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:05 AM CDT on December 2

I guess that clears up why you're called Weedy McSmokey. Next time I'm in Canada, I'll give you a call.

posted by Desert Dog at 11:17 AM CDT on December 2

I don't get it. Why do these guys always have shit in their cars? After years of "heavy" partying,I was forced to quit doing coke and drinking,about 15 years ago.{successfully,I may add}. So all I do now for fun is fire up the "ol Bowl. The police don't care what I have in my house and when I visit my friends,they have their own bowls,so Michael Irvin can't wait til he gets out of his car to catch a buzz?

posted by Tubby Fan at 11:17 AM CDT on December 2

I like Irvin, as a player, and always rooted for him to rid himself of his demons, for his own sake. However, this is the type of story one heard in grade school when a classmate played hooky, and then plead his case that he was on his deathbed (yeah right). In other words, don't buy it. If it's true, it's sad. Because if he still has demind, he could poosibly end up growing old and dying with these demons. About T.O., who has no place in this conversation. Looks like the Saints are comin' to SoCal and ya'll know I live there. If the Saints come and sign Terrible Owens, I will buy an Aaron Brooks jersey just to make sure I was not one who bought the albatross's jersey. Wait a second, can you say L.A. Saints QB Matt Leinart?

posted by Joe88 at 11:23 AM CDT on December 2

Tubby
someone very near and dear to me (myself) couldn't leave the house without by bol, hitter, bong, whatever. I would blaze up on my way to work every night (second shift at a factory), get blazed at work and then get blazed on my way home. I ALWAYS had some sort of paraphernalia on me. Then again, i was in my teens and early twenties at the time, I think...I don't remember.

posted by willthrill72 at 12:12 PM CDT on December 2

Isn't ganja close to legal in canada? I had friend in Albany who use to grab shit from north of the border and it was some banging shit. I have also heard the whisper tales of the BC. Once its legal in Canada I am so there. Any country that can produce Geddy Lee and legal bud is fucking Xanadu as far as I am concerned.

posted by HATER 187 at 1:07 PM CDT on December 2

hey desert dog: you're wrong at least from a legal standpoint about weed not being a controlled substance.

"the enforcement of the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA)... prevents them from possessing, obtaining, or manufacturing cannabis for their personal medical use."
Gonzales v. Raich, 352 F.3d 1222 (2005)

i'm assuming that includes recreational use as well, but you're right about the pipe not getting you in trouble. just looking out for you pal ;)

posted by ninjavshippo at 2:47 PM CDT on December 2

Plastic baggies with marijuana residue were found in a sunglasses case along with the pipe in Irvin's car. Irvin said he put the items there after finding them on a friend who arrived at his house in Carrollton, Texas, on Thanksgiving. Irvin said he planned to throw the items away but forgot.

I don't buy the friend story... how many friends bring a pipe and empty baggies to your house? What was he going to smoke in the pipe - residue?

posted by skydivemom at 2:58 PM CDT on December 2

I don't buy the friend story... how many friends bring a pipe and empty baggies to your house? What was he going to smoke in the pipe - residue?

He smoked it on the ride over?

posted by billsaysthis at 3:18 PM CDT on December 2

Anyone who brings an empty bag is no friend of mine

posted by HATER 187 at 3:24 PM CDT on December 2

sounds to me like mike and his pal puffed in the car after dinner and forgot to clean up the crime scene.

posted by garfield at 3:29 PM CDT on December 2

Now, now...

Maybe he just thought the toke-taker was good for a refill.

posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 3:30 PM CDT on December 2

Is Mike's house like McDonalds where you get free refills on your weed (oops I mean soda).

posted by skydivemom at 3:40 PM CDT on December 2

Hater, just don't take a radar detector. They'll steal it and give you a $180 ticket. Then when you don't pay it they'll call your house everyday. Called me everyday since 2001...except x-mas.

posted by tselson at 3:42 PM CDT on December 2

Ninja, you're kind of right. I was speaking of California law. Federal law has its own set of standards. Shit, according to Federal law, you probably can't even think about marijuana without getting busted. But California law has a Health and Safety code which governs illegal drug use. Weed isn't a controlled substance in Cali.

posted by Desert Dog at 4:01 PM CDT on December 2

The pipe found in Irvin's car was a crack pipe, according to his "interview" with Stuart Scott.

posted by bperk at 4:28 PM CDT on December 2

Anyone who brings an empty bag is no friend of mine

Sounds like a lot of my cheap friends over the years who never even PURCHASED a bag, but were always there partaking.

posted by dyams at 4:48 PM CDT on December 2

I don't buy the friend story... how many friends bring a pipe and empty baggies to your house? What was he going to smoke in the pipe - residue?

Rush Limbaugh this morning said he believed Michael's story. That settles it. The end.

posted by STLCardinalfan at 5:24 PM CDT on December 2

Believe or not, Rush and "the Paymaker" hit it off fairly well during Rush's time with ESPN. I have that they have "kept in touch"

posted by daddisamm at 12:20 AM CDT on December 3

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