By VICTORIA ADDISON
Sports Editor
Just when I thought I heard it all, news broke that Wes Welker was caught popping Molly (MDMA) at the Kentucky Derby. For those of you who do not find the story as amusing as I do, take a moment to remember how ridiculous the 5’9” wide receiver looked dressed in a top hat and sunglasses handing out wads of cash to random passersby on the day of the Derby.
Even though Welker has since denied his use of the drug by stating that he has no idea what Molly even is, I am still strongly convinced that he knew exactly what he was getting into and is only trying to save himself the embarrassment at this point.
Since the Kentucky Derby incident, Welker has been suspended for 4 games, which will hurt not only the Denver Broncos, but also those of you who decided he was a good pick for your fantasy football team. According to Fox Sports, the Broncos have been aware of Welker’s suspension since the start of training camp and were hoping for an appeal to reverse the decision. The appeal was of course denied.
Under the NFL’s drug abuse policy, Welker’s use of an amphetamine ultimately led to his suspension. The time of his drug use was pinpointed as he reportedly tested positive for Adderall a week after the Kentucky Derby, leading officials to believe it was on the day of the Derby that he used the drug. Despite the results of the test, Welker is convinced someone slipped the drug into his drink in the midst of the famous horse race and tried to save himself by stating that he would never use drugs recreationally. Good try Wes, but no one believes that excuse.
As if blaming someone else for slipping drugs into his drink was not enough, Welker also targeted the NFL’s drug abuse policy in wake of the news of his suspension.
In an email to the Denver Post Welker said, “I have never been concerned with the leagues performance enhancing or drug abuse policies because under no scenario would they ever apply to me, but I now know, that (drug-policy procedures) are clearly flawed, and I will do everything in my power to ensure they are corrected, so other individuals and teams aren’t negatively affected so rashly like this.”
Although Welker may have sat for the Bronco’s regular season opener versus the Indianapolis Colts regardless of his suspension due to a concussion suffered during the third game of the preseason, it is no question that his teammates are going to miss him in the games leading up to his return on October 5.
With a total of 778 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, Welker was an easy target for the Bronco’s 13-time Pro Bowl quarterback Peyton Manning. Luckily for fans, Manning can turn any pass into touchdown thus Welker’s absence should not prove to be too much of a problem for the Bronco’s offense.
At the end of the day, Welker made a mistake and we should forgive him regardless of how odd the situation may be. Although the Broncos may be worried about the loss of a key player, they can be assured that the team is in good hands with Manning at the helm of their offense. Let’s just hope that Welker can make up for his wrong doings and be able to find the end zone upon his return to the football field as easily as he was able to find Molly on that dreadful day at the Kentucky Derby.
