Simpson

It's always bothered me that players could be suspended for four games for losing weight "the wrong way" (using a banned an NFL substance that you or I could legally buy over the counter at most larger pharmacies) while allowing those convicted of drunk driving a free pass.

Now the NFL is actually punishing players for DUI. Vikings receiver, Jerome Simpson is one of the first examples of this new policy. He's supposed to serve a three-game suspension for getting caught.

Now I don't like Simpson not being available for the first three games of the season this year either, BUT it bothers me even more that Simpson is appealing the suspension trying to get the League to change their mind about the policy.

Something much bigger is at stake here and its the safety of players (and those on the road) when these players regularly drive drunk. The NFL is moving in the right direction on this matter. It's not time to start back peddling now.

Simpson's case? He refused to take a chemical test when caught and pled guilty to a lesser charge of careless driving. By doing so, he's setting the precedent of all future players caught driving drunk TO DO THE SAME THING. In other words, he's exploiting a loop hole to make the new policy impossible to enforce.  The breath test caught him at .95 and Simpson's attorney say he would have passed the blood test IF he had taken it.

But he didn't so there is no verification of drunk driving either way. This is a horrible way for anyone to flaunt the law.

Simpson said he's optimistic that the league will drop the suspension. I say that would be a big mistake. It would take all the teeth out of a very good policy.

And make it easier for players to continue driving drunk in the future.

The blood test is given for a reason. IF you refuse it, its your OWN fault.