Earlier this offseason, Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon was suspended for four games by the NFL for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse, meaning his must recent run-in with the NFL's substance policy wasn't the first instance of testing positive for a banned substance.
Blackmon has since apologized, once again promising that he's committed to football.
"No, I would say I don't," Blackmon said at Jaguars OTAs after being asked if he had a substance abuse problem. "Out of this whole thing one of the main things I would say that I had a problem with was just making a poor decision, making a selfish decision at that and not thinking about the long-term of it and just thinking about at the time."
"If you want to ask if I have a problem? I have a problem with making a poor decision."
Blackmon went on to say that the's been leaning on coaches and other players for support moving forward.
"Just lean on my support group. [Coach] David [Caldwell] and [general manager] Gus [Bradley] have been very supportive ever since they've been here," Blackmon said. "I've been going in and talking to them almost every day so having them there, having the teammates here that I have here have been very supportive here and it feels good to have people I can lean on and talk to."
Whether Blackmon actually puts his problems with substances and drugs in his past will be seen down the road. He said that he's "very confident" that his off-the-field issues are in the past, but actions speak louder than words. It's likely that Blackmon is on his last chance with the Jaguars, and maybe the NFL. If Blackmon breaks the league's substance policy again, he'll be suspended for an entire year, and the Jaguars could already cut him without owing him another dime. Blackmon has talent, but he has to be on the field to actually make that count.
