Miami Dolphin's Laremy Tunsil could enter the league's drug program following the gas-mask bong video that surfaced before the NFL draft. However, the footballer said the video was taken two years ago.
Tunsil had been the Miami Dolphin's NFL draft pick; but because of the circulating video of him smoking marijuana through a bong attached to a gas mask, he could be placed in the NFL's substance abuse program instead, Miami Herald reported. According to the Policy and Program for Substances and Abuse, he could qualify for it.
The policy says "Behavior (including but not limited to an arrest or conduct related to an alleged misuse of Substances of Abuse occurring up to two (2) football seasons prior to the Player's applicable scouting combine) which, in the judgment of the Medical Director, exhibits physical, behavioral, or psychological signs or symptoms of misuse of Substances of Abuse."
Since the video appeared on Thursday, Tunsil's Twitter account was deactivated. However, it made such a huge impression on NFL executives. According to the Washington Post, some of the teams decided to exclude the Miami Dolphin offensive tackle off their boards. Nonetheless, he was placed in 13th overall pick by the Miami Dolphins.
Tunsil reasoned his official Twitter was hacked and caused damage worth millions of dollars. Recently, Tunsil's stepfather filed a lawsuit against him, claiming the 21-year-old footballer attacked him in June and defamed his character. But Tunsil argued he was only defending his mother.
During the Friday's introductory press conference, Dolphins mentioned Tunsil suffered allergic reaction and was brought to the teams doctor to check his condition, CBS Sports reported. Despite the health issue, Tunsil appeared on the press conference.
Even if the league believes otherwise, the worst that could happen is Tunsil to be placed in Stage 1 of the drug program, facing no fine nor suspension. However, Tunsil would be subjected to testing "as often as is required to evaluate the player adequately," the policy states.
