Last year, Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly settled charges relating to the possession of codeine by entering into a pre-trial diversion program. Under the terms of the deal, the charges would have been dismissed if he had stayed out of trouble for a year.
He didn’t make it.
Sports Radio 610 in Houston reports, via CBSHoustonTX.com, that Jolly has been arrested for felony possession of codeine, the active ingredient in the beverage known as “lean” and “purple drank.”
Police stopped Jolly’s Escalade early Friday, for a traffic violation. Jolly reportedly presented a state identification card rather than a driver’s license. Police thereafter learned that his license is suspended, and ineligible for renewal.
Police then searched Jolly’s vehicle and found 600 grams of codeine.
In July 2010, the NFL suspended Jolly for all of the 2010 season. He reportedly commenced the process of obtaining reinstatement earlier this year. Earlier this week, coach Mike McCarthy said that Jolly “definitely” remains in the teams plans.
McCarthy may be using a different word to describe Jolly’s status now, given that he faces both new charges and a likely claim that he violated his diversion program.
Meanwhile, we can’t help but wonder whether Jolly would have gotten arrested absent a lockout. With the league shut down, suspended players like Jolly are no longer subject to unannounced testing. Thus, to the extent that he was tempted to use codeine, the absence of a strong incentive to stay away from the substance may have set the stage for the latest incident.
