The statement that he won’t drink for the foreseeable future is not that indication.  Nor were the apologetic statements or his acceptance of responsibility for his actions.  While the statements were beneficial for his image, the image of the franchise, and were undoubtedly a piece of consolation for his friends and family, they were not a reflection of growth that almost guarantees he will become a great for the Jaguars.

Instead, it is Blackmon’s focus on the future and what he is going to be.

I just want to let people know that’s not who I am – and that’s not who I’m going to be.

Blackmon’s career is going to be about what he isn’t going to be.  It’s going to be about his future, turning into a player that is a game changer.  Head Coach Mike Mularkey had it right when he said, “It’s totally up to him” talking about Blackmon’s play.

Fortunately, Blackmon seems to know that and will be working hard to grow into a man during his tenure with the Jaguars.

- Luke N. Sims

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Gene Smith reinforced the need to do proper research on draft prospects.  Blackmon was the 5th selection in the 2012 draft. After a similar incident in 2010, the Jaguars thought that Blackmon has only had an isolated incident.

Blackmon said he didn’t have a drinking problem but said he was “done drinking” for now.  While that wasn’t specified in his statement, Blackmon will probably focus more on responsible behavior.  Like his time before the draft, Blackmon appeared genuinely apologetic about his actions.  While a suspension is still a possibility, it appears that the action may come from the NFL rather than the Jaguars.

An emphasis was put on creating a roster that is filled with good guys.  89 of 90 players did the right thing over the weekend, according to Smith.  Just one player, Blackmon didn’t make the right decisions.

If Blackmon can rebound from this incident and hone his receiving skills, he could join many other “troubled” receivers like Cris Carter, the Jags’ own Jimmy Smith, and Randy Moss in being a difference maker on the football field and in people’s lives.  As our own Dave Johns pointed out in his recent article, it’s rare that the best receivers are flawless individuals.

Jaguar great Fred Taylor has reportedly reached out to Blackmon.  While no formal mentorship has been established, the guidance of veteran players can have a profound impact on players just entering the league as they learn how to transition their game and their lives to the bigger stage.

- Luke N. Sims

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A lot of people here don’t think the rules or laws apply to them.   They do what they want, how they want, when they want.  If they get caught doing something forbidden, it isn’t their fault, it’s the fault of the state for having a crappy law.

Governor Schweitzer of Montana brands a "VETO" onto Senate Bill 109 as the public watches

When I moved here in 2009, my Montana-born friends told me that having an open container in the car was perfectly legal – so long as it wasn’t within reach of the driver.  (Apparently the front seat is “out of reach”)  My friend from Butte (Butte, America is famous for having a highly radioactive mining pit – now disused – that is a mile wide and a mile deep) has told me time and time again that if you’re drinking anything besides coffee and beer you’re not a man.  The representatives to national politics bring bolo ties and big belt buckles with their big personalities to Washington.  The governor has a “VETO” brand for legislation.

Drinking and Driving?  It’s practically a state past time here.

I can go downtown Missoula and identify how far my friends have been drinking by which sidewalk their pickup truck is impeding on.  There’s a systematic bar crawl here, and drunk driving laws sure as hell aren’t going to stop people from driving their overly loud truck (or “Rig”) the half a block to the next bar.

The West is weird like that.

Oklahoma, while further south, is somewhat similar I’d imagine. I’ve never been, and the closest I have come to wanting to visit is reading things about Tulsa at the Art of Manliness (great blog!).

Drinking and driving is a culture that is tough to dispel.  Blackmon has spent a lot of time in Oklahoma and I guarantee that, like my friend from Butte, there’s a bit of pride about being from a western state.  Pride borne down from the community. It’s a harsher place to live than California or Virginia.  It’s a more barren area.  When you live in a place like Oklahoma, damnit you deserve a drink.

Tack on the fact that he was returning to the state where he went to college and high school and having a few beers too many with your friends is just a great idea.  Going to a bar (or two or three or four) is a part of the college culture.  Some of the best friendships are forged in the dingy corners of that bar you don’t remember.  It’s an experience going out, and when you have those experiences and meet up with people you used to do that with, it’s tough not to do it again.  College students, well they’re invincible apparently.  Drunk driving is almost a natural byproduct of drinking for those students aged 18-22.

I’m not saying drinking and driving is right (it’s definitely wrong).  There have been numerous other players who have driven drunk.  There have been numerous people who drive after having one (or five) too many.  There are players that struggle with addictions.  There are numerous things about Justin Blackmon’s situation that aren’t new the NFL scene.  But maybe these are just growing pains.

DUIs are serious, they can negatively affect other peoples’ lives in a very harsh way.

Maybe, just maybe Justin Blackmon is leaving a drinking culture and will grow into a man in Jacksonville.

- Luke N. Sims

Disclaimer:  My apologies if I have offended anybody that lives in Oklahoma or Montana.  I do not intend this to be a commentary on the communities of those states.  My perception of the actions in college towns in Montana and my lack of knowledge of Oklahoma’s culture ensure that my comments may not be accurate.  If you do have some insight, please share it with me in the comments as I would love to learn more.

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