TPD: Lester Cotton Arrested Friday Night on Drug Charges

Superdad said:

Yes, by all means, let's make the poor misunderstood darling run some stairs. That'll teach him! The only stairs he should be running are the ones that lead the off campus. I know a lot of folks say "kids will be kids" which is true, I guess. Let him grow up somewhere else. But, I digress.

Click to expand...

Bless your heart...

Isaiah 63:1 said:

If you can somehow equate that to speeding, you've spent too many evenings in Columbus too close to the toxic fumes from burning couches.

Click to expand...

Aren't you special. Need a hug?

Superdad said:

Yes, by all means, let's make the poor misunderstood darling run some stairs. That'll teach him! The only stairs he should be running are the ones that lead the off campus. I know a lot of folks say "kids will be kids" which is true, I guess. Let him grow up somewhere else. But, I digress.

Click to expand...

Super dad, huh? Your icon seems more accurate than your handle. It would be like...

"Lester, I am your father."
"Nooooooooo....."

B1GTide said:

So understanding.

Click to expand...

Sorry, I just don't believe in coddling these guys. I'd be a lot more understanding if he was smoking dope in the privacy of his own home instead of behind the wheel where he could hurt somebody.

LA4Bama said:

Super dad, huh? Your icon seems more accurate than your handle. It would be like...

"Lester, I am your father."
"Nooooooooo....."

Click to expand...

Well. my kids love me & we get along great. I also teach them that there are consequences when you do something wrong, much less something against the law. Running steps seems like an appropriate punishment for showing up late to a meeting or making a D in Algebra. not for Cotton's noted offense.

Superdad said:

Sorry, I just don't believe in coddling these guys. I'd be a lot more understanding if he was smoking dope in the privacy of his own home instead of behind the wheel where he could hurt somebody.

Click to expand...

And therein lies the difference. Stay at home, if that is what you are doing to pass the time.

Did we misread the first post?

B1GTide said:

Aren't you special. Need a hug?

Click to expand...

in the worst way...

RTR91 said:

Did I miss where anyone said he was smoking pot in his car?

Click to expand...

Nowhere is it noted that he was believed to be under the influence. He was not charged with a DUI, nor is there any suggestion that he even underwent a field sobriety test. Not sure how this is done in Alabama, but they perform a similar test to that which they perform for drinking if they suspect other drug use up here. In a case like this, if you fail the field sobriety test and they smell weed and find it in your car, you get charged with DUI. With a really good lawyer you can beat the charge, but it is hard.

Cotton was driving, the officer smelled weed and found weed when the car was searched. That is all that we know for sure. We do not know that he was driving under the influence or weaving in the road or anything unsafe.

crimsonaudio said:

I have a hard time getting upset over this. I wish it hadn't happened as I think it shows a lack of self discipline, but in the end - just not a big deal.

Click to expand...

In and of itself no but how it impacts others is the problems most people have with situations like this. These types of acts are called selfish by CNS because they can have an impact on the team. Until it isn't banned by states and the NCAA then the players should have enough respect for themselves, the university, and most importantly their team to show enough self control to leave the stuff alone. Young folks will be young folks though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Superdad said:

Sorry, I just don't believe in coddling these guys. I'd be a lot more understanding if he was smoking dope in the privacy of his own home instead of behind the wheel where he could hurt somebody.

Click to expand...

IMHO and for me, that`s the crux of the matter. There`s a certain degree of irresponsibility there if indeed he was driving under the influence ( influence of anything ). And yes, I`ve done it too ( not MJ ) and I was being irresponsible as well. I was just as in the wrong as he was. As much as anything, I hope and believe that that is what Coach Saban will address.

I don't condone drinking or smoking pot or doing drugs but there are worse things, much worse. Pot has no good usefulness around football. Such a simple thing as forgetting the snap count or forgetting a play can end up causing you to lose a game.

Things are different than when I was in college. My son is a D1 athlete (golf) and we've talked about this issue a number of times during his career. He's been drug tested a few times and has always passed but he's told me that at least half of the kids on campus smoke pot at least once a week. He doesn't understand why the athletes are held to a higher standard. He told me that if they kicked all the kids off the football team (at Cincinnati) that smoked weed they wouldn't be able to field a team. I think that's probably true everywhere. While LC did something illegal and should be punished, we can't kick kids off the team for it.

Im_on_dsp said:

Things are different than when I was in college. My son is a D1 athlete (golf) and we've talked about this issue a number of times during his career. He's been drug tested a few times and has always passed but he's told me that at least half of the kids on campus smoke pot at least once a week. He doesn't understand why the athletes are held to a higher standard. He told me that if they kicked all the kids off the football team (at Cincinnati) that smoked weed they wouldn't be able to field a team. I think that's probably true everywhere. While LC did something illegal and should be punished, we can't kick kids off the team for it.

Click to expand...

Or, and I'm just spitballing here, do so many kids engage in such behaviors in large part because they know they won't be kicked off the team if caught?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Isaiah 63:1 said:

Or, and I'm just spitballing here, do so many kids engage in such behaviors in large part because they know they won't be kicked off the team if caught?

Click to expand...

Young people do not think that way. They take risks that adults generally won't even consider. That aside, enforcement as severe as you recommend does not align with Saban's general philosophy of giving players (and coaches) a second chance. As a parent, I don't give up on my kids when they do stupid things. I'm glad that Saban feels the same way.

B1GTide said:

Nowhere is it noted that he was believed to be under the influence. He was not charged with a DUI, nor is there any suggestion that he even underwent a field sobriety test. Not sure how this is done in Alabama, but they perform a similar test to that which they perform for drinking if they suspect other drug use up here. In a case like this, if you fail the field sobriety test and they smell weed and find it in your car, you get charged with DUI. With a really good lawyer you can beat the charge, but it is hard.

Cotton was driving, the officer smelled weed and found weed when the car was searched. That is all that we know for sure. We do not know that he was driving under the influence or weaving in the road or anything unsafe.

Click to expand...

I'm always amazed that an officer can smell such small amounts of weed when they pullover a car.