The 420 All-Marijuana Team For Athletes Who Have Enjoyed Cannabis With Varying Rates Of Success
By: Evan Jankens
@kingofthekc
April 20 is a holiday for those among us who enjoy smoking weed.
Why this date? Huffingtonpost.com posted the answer as to why April 20 is so special.
The origin of 420 had nothing to do with a police code, though the San Rafael part was dead-on. A group of five San Rafael High School friends known as the Waldos — by virtue of their chosen hangout spot, a wall outside the school — coined the term in 1971.
I decided since this is a so-called "holiday" I created the All-Marijuana team made up of some of the more famous athletes who have had seemingly enjoyed pot in the past.
Former Detroit Lions DT Nick Fairley
While with the Detroit Lions in 2012, Fairley was arrested for possession of marijuana.
He was busted close to his mom's house; police were tipped off by neighbors who called and said he was speeding through the streets, sources said.
Hall of Fame PG Allen Iverson
Iverson has had his problems with the law in the past. After his rookie season in 1997, Iverson was arrested for possession of a firearm and two marijuana cigarettes.
He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon in a plea agreement under which the drug charge was dropped. He performed 100 hours of community service and received three years' probation, after which his record was expunged.
WR Randy Moss
In August of 2005, one of the best wide receivers to ever play the game did an interview with HBO's Real Sports admitting he smoked weed while playing in the NFL.
"I have used, you know, marijuana ... since I've been in the league," Moss said in an interview for HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" scheduled to air Tuesday night. "But as far as abusing it and, you know, letting it take control over me, I don't do that, no."
QB Michael Vick
2007 was a year to forget for the once popular Michael Vick. While traveling through a Miami airport his water bottle was confiscated. Why you may ask? It smelled like marijuana and had a "hidden compartment."
The bottle was found to have a compartment that contained "a small amount of dark particulate and a pungent aroma closely associated with marijuana," a Miami police report said.
Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps
Phelps is probably the best known Olympic athlete in the world. Phelps was suspended in 2009 for being photographed hitting a bong, one of his biggest sponsors, Kellogg, dropped him because of the photo.
Phelps's agent, Drew Johnson, also released a statement, saying that Phelps accepted and understood the decisions. "He feels bad he let anyone down," the statement said.
Rasheed Wallace
In 2002, Sheed and teammate Damon Stoudamire beat the Seattle Supersonics and instead of riding the team bus back to Portland they decided to drive back together. Unfortunately for them, they were pulled over and the car smelled like weed.
During the traffic stop, which technically occurred at 12:02 a.m. on Nov. 22, officers smelled marijuana and later discovered less than 40 grams of the substance. Both players, and the driver of the vehicle — which belonged to Stoudamire — were cited for misdemeanor possession. Officers allowed the three to continue their drive to Portland after determining the driver was not under the influence.
The most notorious smoker to play professional sports has to be Ricky Williams
Williams had been suspended for marijuana multiple times. One of his more famous quotes about pot was, "I failed a drug test because I was ready to quit football." Williams said that gem after he quit football in 2004.
Williams told the newspaper that marijuana played a larger role in his retirement than he indicated when he walked away after just five pro seasons. He said he learned of the failed test and possible suspension days before telling coach Dave Wannstedt last week that he was through playing.
Williams is now trying to educate people on the benefits of marijuana.
