Quote:In reality, an alcoholic will never escape the pressures of alcohol. It's a lifetime commitment that's going to rear its ugly head wherever they go, not just casinos. He could go to the local 7-11 to get a slurpee and there's a 12 pack of beer with his name on it. If he wants to go to a casino, then he should go and he's not setting himself up for a relapse because of it. The pressures are everywhere and he can't lock himself into a closet for the rest of his life.

Bingo. 

 

You can't drive down any major thoroughfare in this town without passing a bar or a liquor store.  Is he supposed to teleport himself to the stadium, where they also serve beer,wine and liquor?

 

Is he expected to never buy groceries again?  Because there's temptation there, especially since he's a beer drinker. 

 

This hullabaloo over him being at a casino is borderline comical since there's zero context behind why he was there.  No, it's not an ideal place for someone with an addiction problem to spend their time, but without knowing WHY he was there, it's a little difficult for even the self righteous morality police on this board to pass judgment.  We don't even know for sure WHEN that picture was taken beyond the claims of some anonymous guy on the interwebs.  There's nothing concrete to confirm that this picture was taken during the current suspension other than the word of some guy who I'm sure is a pillar of society whose credibility should never be called into question. 

 

The bottom line is that Blackmon has reportedly taken his rehab seriously, and that he is doing well.  That's coming from his camp, and what has been conveyed by the Jaguars as well.  We won't know the truth about anything until such time as he decides to apply for reinstatement.  Until that happens, let the self righteous among us continue to launch their salvos about something they know little to nothing about. 

 

Hopefully Blackmon is doing what he can to get his life back on track.  If that leads him back to the field, great.  If it doesn't, it's a terrible tragedy to squander such talent, but it is what it is.  Either way, the team will move on, with or without him.

---