STEPNOSKI OBVIOUSLY HAS INHALED

Former Dallas Cowboys center Mark Stepnoski was featured prominently last
week by an area daily newspaper in a story where he outlined his years of
marijuana use. Although he holds himself up as "proof" that the illegal
drug does not cause physical harm nor does it damage one's career, it seems
obvious it has impaired his judgment.

The offensive lineman claimed he has not had one teammate be critical of
what he is doing. That may be another indication of unacknowledged effects
of regular marijuana use -- impairment to short-term memory.

Stepnoski, who retired after the 2001 season, apparently has dedicated his
retirement to spreading the message that marijuana is not harmful. He
serves as president of the Texas chapter of the National Organization for
Reform of Marijuana Laws -- whose goal is legalization of the weed -- and
has joined the group's national advisory board.

Habitual pot use may not have prevented Stepnoski from becoming a
professional football player, but it is hard to say that in the long run,
there have been no negative effects from the drug.

The All-Pro lineman admits he has seen drugs ruin the lives and careers of
several of his Cowboys teammates, yet he believes because he was
unaffected, his drug use must be OK.

He says he doesn't want children to use drugs, but yet he believes he
should share his relaxed views about marijuana with them. And this from a
person who admittedly started lighting up in high school. What sort of
message does Stepnoski think he offers today's youth with such a double
standard? Another example of "Do as I say, not as I do"? "It hasn't hurt
me; it won't hurt you"?

How many youth have been led to experiment with other illegal, more harmful
and potentially lethal drugs, because they believed casual marijuana use
was innocuous? How many families have been ruined by actions taken under
the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, because they believed it was OK for
them, that it wouldn't affect their lives or impair their judgment?

Why should we hold in esteem someone who obviously flouts the law and wants
to encourage others to do the same?

The team once known as "America's Team" has endured a long and storied
decline since the days of Tom Landry, and not just because its win-loss
record is only marginal. The Cowboys more often are in the news now because
of their arrest records, undisciplined behavior and illicit drug use. Many
seem to think that since they are heroes on the football field, they can
engage in whatever illegal activity they want ... because it doesn't affect
their performance. And yet they see no correlation between the decline of
their team and its image, and their off-field behavior.

It's no wonder sensible fans -- those who haven't inhaled -- have quit
their adulation of the Cowboys. They may not even be Texas' favorite team
any more.