New York Jets: Sheldon Richardson needs help

By Paul Newbold | Jul 31, 2015

The revelation on the New York Jets that Sheldon Richardson is once again in trouble with the team and the NFL came as a bit of a shocker to me. I did an article earlier this off season defending the Jets’ young star and suggested he seek out counseling via the NFL. If you’d like to read my thoughts on the subject, you may do so by clicking here.

When the news struck, we all learned he was arrested on July 14 for allegedly drag racing at speeds up to 143 miles an hour. According to the police report, Richardson had a loaded gun under his driver seat, a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car and one of the occupants of the car was a 12 year old child. This is not good for Richardson to say the least.

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Before this all broke, Richardson was interviewed at the Jet facility concerning his prior troubles with violating the NFL’s Drug Policy and the culminating four-game suspension.

After listening to that interview, I tweeted that trouble was on the horizon for him. While he said most of the right things to the media, there were times when the troubles this young man had, came to the surface.

In that interview I saw on television on SNY here in New York, I began to relate to Richardson and some of his responses. When asked by reporters if he could guarantee that he would not fail another NFL drug test, Richardson responded “Yeah, I’m not a dope fiend, I can say no.”

When pressed further to detail why he had failed several drug tests, he responded “personal reasons.” Like I said, you all don’t know my life, so you wouldn’t understand that.” Richardson added, “I was in a depressing point in my off season, and that’s just that. It’s just that simple, bro. There’s money on the line. My money is worth more than some weed.”

While many didn’t seem to be alarmed by his responses, I was both shocked and scared for this young man. I related to Richardson’s responses, and they raised red flags for me immediately. You see, I’ve been in his shoes, and today I’ll stick my neck out in hopes that Richardson’s story might end as mine did. It’s my hope that Richardson might turn his life around soon before it’s too late.

Richardson’s responses became more alarming, when I later realized he had already been arrested on July 14, and had not notified Jet staff about the arrest. Richardson was standing there lying to the media, and most importantly, to himself in that interview. I can relate as I lied to myself for many years about my own demons.

That’s right, I’ve dealt with demons similar to that of Richardson. I’ve also spent time in prison as a result of giving into these demons on several occasions. If authorities in Missouri charge Richardson with all the alleged crimes, he might end up serving time too.

Richardson’s statement of “You don’t know my life, you wouldn’t understand” was my theme song and my motto for many years. Nobody understood me, unless you lived a day my shoes during that tough time in my life, it’s just that simple as I can relate where he is coming from.

I can tell you first hand, it’s a dangerous place to be. In another quote from that same interview, Richardson said “Seeing yourself going from Pro Bowl to second string, can’t do nothing but be disappointed in yourself.” Well, I went from owning my own contracting business to living under a bridge. Yep, homeless and broke and all I could do was be disappointed in myself.

I relate to Richardson. No, I didn’t grow up in poverty as Richardson did, I grew up in a upper middle class neighborhood in Queens, New York. I can relate to his state of mind though, the utter futility and despair that sets in when things are spiraling out of control and the only thing you can do is lie to yourself and the one’s around you to somehow make it not real. It’s a very lonely place to be in.

Jul 30, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) answers questions from media about his substance abuse suspension during first day of training camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

I survived, many of my friends did not. It’s my hope that Richardson gets help immediately and can turn his life and career around. I’ve been clean and sober for over twenty years now and am very proud to be where I am today. I went back to school at the age of 40 and earned a degree. Today, I am happily married and raising my 8 year old grandson. Life is good and so it can be for Richardson.

The help is all around him. Now all he needs to do is step up to the plate and get honest with himself. He’s in pretty deep right now, but he needs to get it right. He may or not pay big for his mistakes, but regardless, Richardson needs to make the changes and accept professional help. He’s a very young man with a bright future ahead of him. I will pray he accepts his reality and reaches out.

I stuck my neck out here in hopes that someone else might read this and relate to Richardson’s and my own thinking. What do you think? Should he just be traded or does he deserve yet another chance to get his life together and focus on football? As always, please leave your comments below.

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