Bucs Tolerance, Binge Drinking & Recovery
July 26th, 2018
A lot goes into managing a football team
Yes, NFL players are human beings.
So many have issues, demons, failures, crises and dependencies. But how do teams deal with them?
Are the Bucs good at handling players with problems or unhealthy behaviors? That’s unclear.
For every public failure, it’s unknown how many guys were saved through the efforts of Buccaneers staff.
So much happens behind the scenes. Joe often learns of personal things going on with team members through various channels, stuff that’s not public knowledge. Joe believes there’s a lot that’s inappropriate to type up here. There’s plenty that Joe doesn’t even share with Ira Kaufman.
Joe is reflecting on that today after watching this very moving video below from Austin Seferian-Jenkins, the former Bucs tight end who was drafted in 2014, but then was cut after a DUI in 2016.
It’s NOT safe for work, but it’s truly riveting.
Now sober for a year and sporting a fat contract from Tom Coughlin and the Jaguars, ASJ dives into his alcoholism and talks about binge drinking at a Tampa restaurant and coming into Bucs training camp without working out and not caring.
Ironically, ASJ was a Buccaneers star of the opening-day win in Atlanta in 2016 — after he was thrown out of a spring practice months earlier, and a month after Jameis Winston screamed at him during a practice session in Jacksonville.
Just days later came ASJ’s DUI and release. At that time, two of ASJ’s buddies on the Bucs were Doug Martin and Noah Spence.
It’s always good to remember that players are just people. This powerful ASJ video is an excellent reminder.
July 26th, 2018 at 10:18 am
Applause !…ASJ is making the most of his 2nd chance and has come to terms and addressed his addiction…each case is individual and different….the only thing in common with Jameis is that they both have a J in their name…..Jameis is going to have to make his own way….I hope he does on and off the field
July 26th, 2018 at 10:18 am
Very bittersweet post for me. I am so happy for asj that he figured it out like I’m sure Jameis would but really pissed it took him this long. I have no doubt he will be a great tight end for a while. I always had his back and had to eat crow when we cut him. He’s a cool guy and I hope the best for him cuz I know what his struggles are like.
July 26th, 2018 at 10:19 am
wow, that was really moving. thanks for posting this. definitely a good reminder about life in general.
July 26th, 2018 at 10:27 am
“So many have issues, demons, failures, crises and dependencies. But how do teams deal with them?” Draft them Number One overall. …….smh
July 26th, 2018 at 10:36 am
This is a Noah Spence story. On day 2 of training camp. X-Factor #10 bites the dust already.
July 26th, 2018 at 10:37 am
Why even bring up Noah Spence? Why even mention him when talking about alcoholism? I mean other than to stir the pot and set sights on a new scapegoat?
July 26th, 2018 at 10:42 am
Walter,
still beating his dead horse………………until he can’t beat it any longer………….
July 26th, 2018 at 10:45 am
Damn – have a lot of respect for this guy now. Wish him only the best. It takes a true man to be vulnerable and admit faults. Lessons to be learned by us all.
July 26th, 2018 at 10:46 am
Dapostman, I’m just answering the question proffered by Joe. So if Joe’s beating a dead horse, you let him know.
July 26th, 2018 at 10:55 am
Walter is by far the most annoying, pessimistic, irrational, ignorant guy on here now. The guy knows very little about the bucs.
He’s got reality is a tmax beat.
July 26th, 2018 at 11:05 am
Yes thank you Walter for answering Joe’s question(s) on virtually every Jameis Winston article with the same answer. So much Thursday morning entertainment.
July 26th, 2018 at 11:06 am
Fortunately I’ve never been an alcoholic. I’ve certainly been blasted in the past but never at work and never in a way that would affect work or family life.
Having been raised in a family that elevated alcohol to a position far in excess of where it should have been…I realize how incredibly LUCKY I’ve been.
We should always try and get the diseased help.
July 26th, 2018 at 11:15 am
Kudos to ASJ for having the cajones to tell his story so that some others might benefit from his experiences. I hope he continues on ‘the straight & narrow’ and goes on to have a very successful career.
It’s sad to think though about how many very talented players the Bucs have drafted over the years who had ‘problems’ of one type or another, but who the Bucs’ management & coaching staffs were unable to help turn their life around. Instead the Bucs seem to be the poster child for organizations that discard talented players because of their unresolved problems … and many go on to have very successful careers once they get help elsewhere & get their act together. Sometimes wonder if that’s the result of the coaching carousel we seem to have here in Tampa.
July 26th, 2018 at 11:28 am
Good article. however Joe perspective I feel is off. Bucs should expect a 0 tolerance when it comes to alcohol or drugs. Tylenol is ok and anything the doctor prescribes. These are professional athletes taking care of their bodies where they operate at the highest most efficient levels humanly possible is the expectation. Highly controlled diets should be the norm not the exception. It is time the Bucs take their occupation seriously. It is time for them to set new goals and new attitudes. The first attitude is changing their perspective that drinking and drugs are fun. That is what we call wrong think. Before Bucs allow anyone in their organization they need to make sure that the person has a professional perspective of the world and themselves
July 26th, 2018 at 11:31 am
Thanks Walter.. We both spend BIG $ on season tkts and yes I enjoy your wisdom .
July 26th, 2018 at 12:05 pm
Like some here ,Always thought ASJ had the talent and hope he continues to succeed.
July 26th, 2018 at 12:23 pm
good to hear your doing well ASJ….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!….#PRESSUREESONTHECOACH!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
July 26th, 2018 at 12:30 pm
Props to the guy for manning up personally to a difficult topic.
July 26th, 2018 at 1:00 pm
This is an old video but to answer your question of course the Bucs support binge drinking the GM walks around in shorts and flips flops all day then goes and chugs a few pitchers of ice cold adult beverages for lunch with his staff.
Talk about leading from behind.
July 26th, 2018 at 3:02 pm
While I’m glad he’s turning his life around, its a damn shame we wasted a 2nd round pick on him.
July 27th, 2018 at 4:50 am
He talks a good game, always has. I hope that all that stuff is behind him but something tells me it’s going to be the same ol ASJ.
July 27th, 2018 at 9:01 am
Sadly some of the worst may be yet to come: because every addict relapses, and ‘relapse prevention is one of the most important subjects an addict can learn about in rehab.
In a nutshell, having a good support group that you can trust can make all the difference in the world.
Kudos to everyone out there that has the courage to admit to being human.
But its like I always say, When someone messes up, its amazing how the true story always comes out years later!
July 27th, 2018 at 7:17 pm
#Dope
It’s never too late to realize your wrongs & worth in this life! Salute to ASJ!