Martavis Bryant apparently hasn’t chosen football over marijuana.

 

Dejan Kovacevic of dkpittsburghsports.com reports that Bryant is “facing a season-long suspension.”

 

If this flows from the continuation of issues that Bryant said after serving a four-game suspension in 2015 “are behind me now,” it’s unclear why Bryant has skipped over the 10-game suspension and went straight to what would be, technically, a banishment with the ability to apply for reinstatement after one calendar year passes. It’s possible that, while facing a 10-game suspension for a violation of the policy, Bryant committed a separate violation.

 

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, confirming the report, adds that Bryant’s agent says the suspension has been appealed. With final say for these infractions now possessed by an independent panel of arbitrators, negotiations between the NFL and the union can be much more meaningful.

 

If Bryant misses the full season, it would be a huge blow to one of the best offenses in the NFL, and it would possibly force the Steelers to try to find another mid-to-late-round receiving gem, a skill they have developed and perfected over the last decade with guys like Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, and Bryant.

 

Last year’s third-round receiver, Sammie Coates, would have a chance to step up. Or maybe they’d bring back Wallace, who was cut last week by the Vikings.

 

For now, the chase will begin for confirmation of the report from Kovacevic, who previously worked for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Elaboration also will be needed before the situation can be fully understood.

 

If Bryant, one of the best receivers in the NFL, misses the season because of marijuana, it will be even more reason for the NFL to take a serious look at the sensibility of telling players that they can’t consume on their own time a substance that is legal to use for all purposes in two of the 22 states in which the NFL does business.

 

Report: Martavis Bryant facing one-year suspension | ProFootballTalk

Wow Martavis, how stupid can you be.!?!?

 

On a side note, it is ridiculous that the NFL puts players out of work for using marijuana on their own time.

 

I am sure the NFL will eventually use Marijuana as a bargaining chip which is kind of sad.

Dumb on Bryant's part. He knows what is at stake and still made a bad decision.

 

He's good but "one of the best receivers in the NFL" is a bit of a stretch isn't it?

The NFL really needs to address how to handle marijuana. With it being legal in Washington and Seattle and available by prescription in California they need to figure something out.

Dumb on Bryant's part. He knows what is at stake and still made a bad decision.

 

He's good but "one of the best receivers in the NFL" is a bit of a stretch isn't it?

 

I think so but when Bryant is hot I think it is accurate.

I think so but when Bryant is hot I think it is accurate.

 

No argument there. Being on once every four games isn't enough for "best in the NFL status".

Steelers knew what they were getting into with him. Drafted Coates as a protection plan last season. I don't totally disagree with removing weed from the banned substance list, but lack of self control just cost him a fortune. He smoked his future. I don't care really if he suits up again or not. I have no sympathy for those who do that junk.

Steelers knew what they were getting into with him. Drafted Coates as a protection plan last season. I don't totally disagree with removing weed from the banned substance list, but lack of self control just cost him a fortune. He smoked his future. I don't care really if he suits up again or not. I have no sympathy for those who do that junk.

 

What if you take the approach that Cannabis has several medical uses and maybe one of those suits Bryant really well?

 

It's not like we are talking something as bad as alcohol here, right?

The NFL really needs to address how to handle marijuana. With it being legal in Washington and Seattle and available by prescription in California they need to figure something out.

 

Agree, but if the past teaches us anything, the NFL is going to get a major concession from the players for taking weed off the banned list.

 

I could see this costing the players an additional regular season game.

It still wasn't a catch...

Agree, but if the past teaches us anything, the NFL is going to get a major concession from the players for taking weed off the banned list.

 

I could see this costing the players an additional regular season game.

 

Good point.

Agree, but if the past teaches us anything, the NFL is going to get a major concession from the players for taking weed off the banned list.

 

I could see this costing the players an additional regular season game.

Man, that's up to the union to negotiate. I'd say if they really wanted to make that a point, it would be on the next CBA.

It still wasn't a catch...

 

I agree but calls like that go both ways in games. No complaining here.

Man, that's up to the union to negotiate. I'd say if they really wanted to make that a point, it would be on the next CBA.

 

I agree doc but at the same time I think the NFL should be willing to do this vs. trying to use it for leverage.

 

And if the NFL does use it for leverage, I would have a long, long memory if I was the players association meaning next time the players have the upper hand on the NFL I would make them pay dearly.

 

With all that said I am sure the Feds have told the NFL keep it on the banned listed because we still have it on the banned list. And in return we will make sure most things roll your way in the courts.

Bryant’s latest violation may have come from something other than a positive marijuana test | ProFootballTalk