Update on Spikes Suspension

[Ring 6]

Rick Fox came out late in his career about this history of ADHD. It is consistently (over) diagnosed now and I am surprised more NFL players are not diagnosed or being treated for it. Wouldn't the Pats know if he had ADHD before drafting him (not that it is a reason not to)?

Why would the Patriots knowing or not knowing matter?

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Personally, I am going to assume innocence until proven guilty.

I think at this point he has been proven guilty, sentenced, admitted to, apologized for, and stated he won't appeal.

Some questions as to exactly what drug he took and under what circumstances. But he has been proven guilty of violating the NFL policy on taking one of a possible multitude of prohibited substances.

 

[Haley]

I think at this point he has been proven guilty, sentenced, admitted to, apologized for, and stated he won't appeal.

Some questions as to exactly what drug he took and under what circumstances. But he has been proven guilty of violating the NFL policy on taking one of a possible multitude of prohibited substances.

I talking about guilty with respect to this. Questions exist regarding why he took this drug. Read previous posts and you'll see what I mean.

 

[RayClay]

If he's taking it for a medical condition, he must have a prescription. I don't see that, does he?

 

[DarrylS]

You're completely foolish if you think a 22 year old man not in school anymore is regularly taking Aderall for ADHD. I mean if you want to believe that, fine, but I hope you're not a cop or a judge because we're in trouble if so.

Here is some reality for you: Throughout my 20s, which just recently ended, I saw Aderall and Ritalin being crushed up as a recreational drug countless times. People go to doctors and say, "yeah i have trouble focusing" and get a script for it, then they sniff it because if you don't actually have a bad case of ADHD it's like cocaine. The image of Brandon Spikes being concerned that he can't read his novel at night without wanting to check ESPN every few minutes so he takes Ritalin pills is laughable. Just about the only reasonable circumstance I can imagine for that is he's desperately trying to learn the playbook, and I wish he'd come out and say that if so. I don't think we'll know the truth here but I really think this happened while he was out partying. Ironically, if it had been coke he wouldn't have gotten the four game ban...

Yet you draw this conclusion without knowing any of his personal medical history.. you do not know if he was so diagnosed early on.

It was indicated early on that he was having troubles pickiing up this complicated defense.. perhaps it is a simple that he really needed to focus on these complex schemes..

The reality is no one knows, so for now, give him benefit of the doubt.

 

[Grizzafted]

Spikes is my favorite member of this draft class, which is saying a lot. I'm not all that mad at him, I just think it's unlikely he used this for a purpose we would feel good about. My guess is that if that were the case, it would have made his statement. "I take ADHD medication during some team meetings to stay focused." I'd like to believe that but I think it's more likely that he's a 22 year old millionaire who hasn't learned yet that he should be careful what he does with his off time. I expect he'll have a long career with the Pats and I look forward to it.

 

[unoriginal]

Spikes is my favorite member of this draft class, which is saying a lot. I'm not all that mad at him, I just think it's unlikely he used this for a purpose we would feel good about. My guess is that if that were the case, it would have made his statement. "I take ADHD medication during some team meetings to stay focused." I'd like to believe that but I think it's more likely that he's a 22 year old millionaire who hasn't learned yet that he should be careful what he does with his off time. I expect he'll have a long career with the Pats and I look forward to it.

He's one year into a 2nd round contract. I doubt he's a millionaire after taxes and living expenses.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I can think of two scenarios as to why he took Aderall or Ritalin. Neither of them are good, at all. (And a third, very unlikely scenario that would be the positive scenario).

One (most likely) - People use Aderall and Ritalin recreationally. It's known as a "poor man's cocaine." He was partying, probably with a girl(s) and they decided to sniff some crushed up pills. This, coupled with his chatroulette adventures, calls his maturity into question and makes me wonder if he's really ready to be a professional athlete. He's also 22 so let's hope he learns from this.

Two - There is a reason that amphetamines are banned in the NFL. If he was taking these drugs before games to give himself a little bit of extra zip, it's cheating. It's also very dangerous. I hope that's not what the case is here, but the fact is that Aderall helps people stay focused so maybe he thinks it helps him stay sharp during games.

Three (homer glasses) - He takes it to keep himself focused when learning the playbook. The reason why the drug exists is to help people study. Maybe he takes it to help learn a complicated defense. Anyone who believes this, I got some beans to sell you.

The bright side is that it's not straight up steroids or HGH (assuming we believe him) so I doubt we'll see a production decline unless he was using it before games. This is more serious than marijuana, though, and calls his judgment into question big time. A guy has a smoke with a friend, I give him a pass and hope he waits until the offseason next time. This circumstance isn't good for Brandon's reputation and I hope it's a real wake up call for him. This is not the University of Florida, it's time to get with the program.

OR he is taking it to treat ADD and he has a prescription for it since that's not an over the counter drug. Talk about jumping to conclusions.

 

[Fantomex]

You're completely foolish if you think a 22 year old man not in school anymore is regularly taking Aderall for ADHD. I mean if you want to believe that, fine, but I hope you're not a cop or a judge because we're in trouble if so.

I've been reading this site for some time, but hadn't registered. Thank you for posting something so ignorant that it prompted me to finally register.

I'm 30 years old, diagnosed with ADHD, and still on medication. I've been on Adderall and Ritalin in the past year. I'm not in school anymore. My job requires me to concentrate for long periods of time, something which would be extremely difficult if not for meds. Next?

 

[Haley]

Welcome to the board, Fantomex.

Thanks for posting.

 

[Ring 6]

Spikes is my favorite member of this draft class, which is saying a lot. I'm not all that mad at him, I just think it's unlikely he used this for a purpose we would feel good about. My guess is that if that were the case, it would have made his statement. "I take ADHD medication during some team meetings to stay focused." I'd like to believe that but I think it's more likely that he's a 22 year old millionaire who hasn't learned yet that he should be careful what he does with his off time. I expect he'll have a long career with the Pats and I look forward to it.

I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure Aderrol isnt like Viagra, where you take it when you need it, but a medicine that you take daily and consistently to lessen the impact of the disorder.
I dont know what you feel Spikes owes you, but it is idiotic for you to try to think you can tell what is going on in his mind or life becauase of what you think he should say. I can assure you that Spikes didnt sit around and try to figure out all of the statements he should make in order to satisfy some joker who will just jump to whatever conclusion he feels he wants to.

 

[Joker]

I'm snortin' whiskey...and drinkin' cocaine!

YouTube - Pat Travers Snortin' Whiskey

 

[BTTA]

Update on Spikes Suspension
By: Derek Havens

Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe reported this morning that the two sides haven't made any progress, and it appears that things may be taking a turn for the worst....

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

HELLO. IS ANYONE HOME? Why is this article lead still out there on this site? Either it is a mistake and should be corrected inside 5 minutes, or it refers to something meaningful and should be explained inside 5 minutes.

 

[TBradyOwnsYou]

1 starred. Wish I could go lower.

 

[Sciz]

HELLO. IS ANYONE HOME? Why is this article lead still out there on this site? Either it is a mistake and should be corrected inside 5 minutes, or it refers to something meaningful and should be explained inside 5 minutes.

I do know that Ian is away right now, but I think other people have the power to fix stuff like that.

 

[JMarr]

I've been reading this site for some time, but hadn't registered. Thank you for posting something so ignorant that it prompted me to finally register.

I'm 30 years old, diagnosed with ADHD, and still on medication. I've been on Adderall and Ritalin in the past year. I'm not in school anymore. My job requires me to concentrate for long periods of time, something which would be extremely difficult if not for meds. Next?

Meh. Unless you're a fighter pilot or your ability to stay awake/concentrate is a matter of life and death, any benefits are outweighed by the risks of dependence and abuse.

Adult ADHD is WAY overdiagnosed and overprescribed for, as are most other medical/psychological "conditions"). Only difference is that the stimulants used to treat it have a huge potential for dependence and recreational abuse. The abuse of this stuff is truly becoming an epidemic, as was pointed out in the article somebody else linked to.

I know that in baseball, there are tons of players that quickly got diagonses of ADHD the second that greenies were put on the banned substance list. If the NFL has the same policy of allowing players to use Ritalin etc. if they have a valid presciption, then it means that Spikes obviously did not and had another big lapse in judgment. This scenario matches up perfectly with what Spikes said publicly, so it's a pretty fair bet that he was using recreationally.
Lesson learned hopefully, and he's ready to kick some butt in the playoffs.

 

[BTTA]

I do know that Ian is away right now, but I think other people have the power to fix stuff like that.

Perhaps I'm being unreasonable, but isn't there always a moderator online, on duty?

 

[DarrylS]

Meh. Unless you're a fighter pilot or your ability to stay awake/concentrate is a matter of life and death, any benefits are outweighed by the risks of dependence and abuse.

Adult ADHD is WAY overdiagnosed and overprescribed for, as are most other medical/psychological "conditions"). Only difference is that the stimulants used to treat it have a huge potential for dependence and recreational abuse. The abuse of this stuff is truly becoming an epidemic, as was pointed out in the article somebody else linked to.

I know that in baseball, there are tons of players that quickly got diagonses of ADHD the second that greenies were put on the banned substance list. If the NFL has the same policy of allowing players to use Ritalin etc. if they have a valid presciption, then it means that Spikes obviously did not and had another big lapse in judgment. This scenario matches up perfectly with what Spikes said publicly, so it's a pretty fair bet that he was using recreationally.
Lesson learned hopefully, and he's ready to kick some butt in the playoffs.

But you do not know if it was adult adhd, we are not privy(with good reason) to his medical history.. it may be something that he has been dealing with his whole life..

People I know with ADHD are on and off these meds continually, many times the effects are so severe that the cure is worse than the symptons..

I raise my grandson and we have been hitting and missing with adhd meds for the past 16 years.. sometimes we don't use meds, and are always seeking a better answer.. it is very complicated.

From the information there is little you can deduce at this time, so give him benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise..

OTOH I know some older men who say they are ADHD, and find it a convenient excuse to validate their behavior..

 

[BradyFTW!]

HELLO. IS ANYONE HOME? Why is this article lead still out there on this site? Either it is a mistake and should be corrected inside 5 minutes, or it refers to something meaningful and should be explained inside 5 minutes.

Does it really matter? How hard is it to just read the article?

 

[PittPatriot]

Why would the Patriots knowing or not knowing matter?

If they know, then it is up to them to know that there are only a couple of medications that are prescribed to treat this condition.
Since they are all on the banned substance list, one would expect the team to tell that player, "If you are being treated for this condition, what medicines are you taking? The following medications are prohibited:"
That list of meds can be sent to the player's private doctor, taped to the inside of his locker or medicine cabinet, etc. The fact that a team could allow a player to do this means either the team is not aware of the player's medical history or the team is too nonchalant about these things. I this case, I cannot imagine the latter being the case.