After being charged with marijuana possession, Ole Miss star defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche has been suspended from playing in the team’s upcoming Sugar Bowl matchup against Oklahoma State.
Last week, the 6-foot-4, 296-pound All-American fell out of a fourth story window of the Grand Hyatt in Atlanta.
When authorities showed up to investigate they found what police reports described as “seven rolled marijuana cigarettes, rolled in Cigarillo Blunt papers.”
He was subsequently charged with marijuana possession.
After learning about his suspension from the bowl game, Nkemdiche released a statement that said:
“While I wish I could have finished this journey with my team, I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this program, and I am ready to begin the next phase of my life.”
“I want to thank my coaches, my teammates and Rebel Nation for their support these past three years, and I look forward to making them proud for years to come.”
With the statement, Nkemdiche publicly announced his intentions to enter the NFL draft rather than return for his senior year at Ole Miss.
“I’m totally indebted to this guy,” Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze told ESPN reporters on Sunday. “He helped change our program .”
“I look forward to sharing with NFL scouts and general managers his unique ability and talent.”
Despite sustaining minor injuries from his fall last week, Nkemdiche is still expected to be a top pick in next year’s NFL draft. Earlier this season, he actually came in as the number one pick in Sports Illustrated‘s “mock draft.”
In 29 games at Ole Miss, Nkemdiche racked up 81 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, and 6 sacks.
As far as Green Rush Daily is concerned it seems more than a little messed up to keep such an important player away from arguably the most important game of his career simply for doing something that the huge majority of Americans either support or participate in.
While it seems that Nkemdiche will likely escape his negative encounter with cannabis prohibition laws, there are still far too many who aren’t as fortunate and who end up having their lives seriously thrown off track because of outdated and ineffective anti-marijuana laws.
