FanHouse Drugs

Not even two weeks ago here at the FanHouse my colleague Brian Grummell called the NCAA on its absurd supplement policy. The NCAA can't help it, though. Our friends in Indianapolis are very, very concerned about the health and safety of the student athlete. So much so, in fact, that they can't leave the diet of the students to the schools themselves. The number of PB&Js a student-athlete gets to eat is of utmost importance. Never mind that pesky "Core Value" about institutional autonomy -- it's clear that the member schools can't be trusted to appropriately hand out their Skippy, Jif, and Peter Pan.

With their supplement policy, the NCAA has taken a clear stand on the issue. That's why it's so comforting to see them take an equally clear stand on the issue of illegal drugs. Specifically, they can't be bothered to administer a program to test for illegal drugs. That the schools can handle for themselves, and if the schools choose not to test their players, well, I guess they're all clean!

With so much talk about what's good for the student athlete, wouldn't it make sense for the NCAA to place more emphasis on illegal drugs as opposed to the number of carbs some linebacker gets per day?

On Deck is The FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing matchups

Colorado Rockies (37-34) vs. New York Yankees (35-34)-3:05PM Est.

No, Roger's not high like Alexi Lalas, it's just that he's pitching in the rarified air of Colorado this evening. Speaking of being high, I think I am because I swear the Rockies have a better record than the Yankees, and that's just not possible. The Rocket's also going for another career milestone tonight, as a victory would give him 350 in his career. Roger's pitched well in his only two starts of the season, including a loss in his last outing in which he only gave up two runs. He'll be going against another legend in Rodrigo Lopez who's 3-0 with a 2.90 ERA. Wait a second, Rodrigo Lopez is 3-0 with an ERA under 3.00? I am high.

It's been a bad week for Scottie Pippen. First, it looks like his reunion with Phil is a no-go. Then, he gets pulled over for speeding with (his cousin's) pot in the car. From USA Today:

Billy C. Pippen, 56, of Hamburg, admitted he owned marijuana found in Scottie Pippen's truck, state police said. Billy Pippen was charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana. Scottie Pippen was cited for speeding.

I've never understood how the police decide whose drugs are whose. Okay, so the cousin claims them as his. You're telling me that, if this weren't a famous, beloved athlete, the cops would assume Pippen had nothing to do with them. Usually, two guys driving around with a bag of weed equals recreational drug use. Plus there's this detail:

While interviewing the ex-basketball player, the trooper smelled marijuana smoke.

According to a police report, Scottie Pippen, when asked about contraband, told Trooper Jeff Preston there was marijuana in the center console of the truck cab but that it wasn't his.

So Pippen smells of it...but it's in the center console, untouched? And he knows it's there, but has no responsibility for it?

Maybe children aren't the only people being affected by Scott Pollard's demonic message.

Once upon a time, Scott Pollard was one of the league's most beloved characters. He was a one-man NBA Hair Watch before such a thing existed, and a prominent cheerleader on those forgotten Kings teams. It's okay if you've lost track of him; he's bounced around, been injured, and rarely played. Maybe his innocence is gone, maybe the novelty has worn off, but either way Pollard's been below the radar.

Until Sunday, when he decided to stick it to the powers that be once and for all. From The Cleveland Plain Dealer:

[Nancy Reagan], famous for her anti-drug message, would not have been amused had she seen Pollard look into the camera during Sunday's telecast of the Cavs' game against the Indiana Pacers and say, "Hey kids, do drugs."

They then quote one father's outrage, and reveal in the process that Pollard "made a few funny faces" before making the comment. Danny Ferry was forced to an issue an official apology, as was FSN Ohio. And somewhere in a secret office, LeBron's team wondered if this would even further dampen his endorsements.

Pollard himself took the whole thing in stride, but tried to explain his actions:

"It was a bad joke. That's all it boils down to. There are a number of things people could say about it, but it just turned out it was a bad joke. Obviously, I don't believe that."

Note: he only pointed out that he doesn't think kids should do drugs. Not that drugs are bad.

I've been told that there can be great outdoor recreation in the State of Washington. Lots of outdoor, natural activities.

Big game with St. Mary's tonight. The game just got a bit more challenging with the suspension of Forward Josh Heytvelt, the second leading scorer and leading rebounder for the 'Zags. Why, you ask?

Gonzaga basketball players Josh Heytvelt and Theo Davis were arrested Friday night after police found marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms in their car during a traffic stop, an officer said.

Heytvelt, a starting forward and one of the team's top scorers, and Davis, an injured freshman, were booked into Spokane County Jail for investigation of drug possession. The amount of marijuana was only enough for a misdemeanor, but possession of mushrooms is a felony, said Cheney Police Cmdr. Rick Campbell.

Police pulled the car over because its tail lights were not working, Campbell said. Officers smelled marijuana and searched the car, and the players were cooperative, he said.

"It was close to midnight. They needed to have their lights on," Campbell said.

Both players are claiming their innocence.

ESPN has said that they have been suspended indefinitely.

Apparently they don't, uh, read the papers in Spokane. Otherwise Heytvelt might have been aware that this was how Kyle McAlarney was lost to ND for the season. Well, maybe he did read the story. Unlike McAlarney, they aren't admitting guilt.