On Sunday, January 10, New England Patriots DE Chandler Jones, who had 13.5 sacks in the league, was hospitalized after going to the Foxborough Police Department. Reports arose that he had been hospitalized due to a bad reaction to synthetic cannabinoids, otherwise known as K-2.

The following day, he was back at practice, with no repercussions or consequences to face as a professional player in the National Football League, despite the fact that he had been using drugs. Speculation had it that he would not start due to his off-field antics,  but he started on Sunday for the Patriots’ divisional playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Sunday of the following week, he started in a losing effort for the AFC Championship against the Denver Broncos.

The truth of the matter is that he should not have played those two games.  K2 is an illegal substance in the state of Massachusetts, and as such he should have faced punishment. Even as a Patriots fan, I believe that a person must face the consequences for the actions they choose to take.  According to NFL policy, “players convicted of or admitting to a violation of law relating to use, possession, acquisition, sale, or distribution of Substances of Abuse other than alcohol, or conspiring to do so, are subject to appropriate discipline as determined by the Commissioner,” leaving them susceptible to being suspended without pay for up to 4 games regular and/or postseason, for their first offense. Either the Commissioner is playing favorites, or Jones was lucky to evade suspension for his actions.

It is disappointing to know that a professional player, who stands as an idol for many young football players and is revered by many fans, was willing to throw away the privilege of playing in playoff games that the team had worked so hard for, especially when they were on their way to a possible consecutive AFC Championship and Super Bowl. He is an essential piece to the New England defense, and in doing such a thing, he not only disrespected his teammates, but also his coaches, his manager, the league, and his fans.

There should have been repercussions, as there have been in the past for substance abuse cases, notably LeGarette Blount’s one game suspension, Le’Veon Bell’s two game suspension, both served at the beginning of this season. It is the NFL’s job to handle these offenses in a diligent, efficient and just manner.