Why LaGarrette Blount's Release Should Bother You As A Football Fan And A Person

Image Credit: deadspin.com

by: Josh Henderson

Twitter: @verybadwrong

In late August, Pittsburgh Steelers' running back Lagarrette Blount was arrested with teammate LeVeon Bell for marijuana possession. Sports media, fantasy football players, and fans speculated what his arrest's impact would be on the Steelers' season. In the middle of November, we got our answer when Blount was released by the Steelers.

The Steelers have been owned by the Rooneys since, well, forever, and the Rooneys are often cited as exemplifying how teams should be run. Steelers' fans love to say, "Well, the Rooneys would never tolerate that behavior." They do, though. They have. Just not when bad behavior is directed internally.

Regardless of your personal beliefs of how marijuana should be treated legally, it's illegal in Pennsylvania, federally, and in the NFL. LaGarrette Blount broke this law. The Steelers knew and accepted this. After his arrest, head coach Mike Tomlin said "everything was on the table" as far as disciplining Blount. That table turned out to be bare. Later, he said they would deal any punishment internally: NFL speak for "We'll do nothing. Let Godell be the bad guy."

The Steelers did grow tired of Blount, though. Why? Because he questioned his role in the offense. Because he had no carries and dressed to leave their game against the Titans early. Oh, and because he still has a suspension pending from the NFL stemming from his arrest. But that's not the Steelers' problem anymore. They cut him because he disrespected the Steelers, after doing nothing when he broke the law. That's how the NFL works. Remember the code from A Few Good Men? Unit, Code, God, Country? In the NFL, it's team, league, production, contract.

Good luck, LaGarrette, you're on your own now. Oh, and thanks for the early season production.