REGION REACTS TO STEPNOSKI'S MARIJUANA STANCE

Mark Stepnoski overcame a lack of size to carve a quality 13-year
career in the violent world of the National Football League.

For years the smallest offensive lineman in the league, he used
technique and guile to outplay much larger opponents. Stepnoski, 6
feet 2 inches and 265 pounds, was named to five Pro Bowl teams and
helped the Dallas Cowboys win two Super Bowls, retiring this year
after 13 seasons as a center with the Cowboys and Oilers.

That brought to an end a career that started with all-state honors at
Cathedral Preparatory School and included All-American status at the
University of Pittsburgh.

Off the NFL field, Stepnoski was not drawn to the microphones like
some of his teammates. But he was prepared to express his opinions
when questioned and was firm in his convictions.

One of those beliefs has landed him at the center of a national
debate.

The flap started after Stepnoski, 35, announced he had been appointed
to the advisory board of the National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws. He also accepted the presidency of the Texas chapter
of NORML.

Stepnoski said on Fox TV that he had smoked marijuana during his
playing career, but masked his use from the NFL's drug tests by
quitting weeks before the season started.

He later told Sports Illustrated, "After a game you hurt so much, you
need something to relax. I'd rather smoke than take
painkillers."

Stepnoski did not return repeated messages left by the Erie Times-News
last week. But the disclosures in national news media have created a
stir locally and could cause headaches for Cathedral Prep officials.
One new question is whether Stepnoski's stance will affect his
standing as a member of the latest Prep Hall of Fame class. He is
among those scheduled to be inducted on March 11.

"We're very disappointed Mark has taken a public stance in favor of an
illegal substance," said the Rev. Scott Jabo, the Prep headmaster. "We
recognize his opinion, but our goal is to educate the student body
about the dangers of drug use."

Jabo said he intends to talk to Stepnoski before making a decision
about the Hall of Fame.

"I don't want to have a knee-jerk reaction," he said. "I want to talk
with Mark and find out where he's coming from on this. I'm trying to
get in contact with him to learn his stance and what his reasons are.
Then we will make a decision that is best for the school."

Mina George, who coached Stepnoski at Prep and now is the football
coach at Girard, said judging Stepnoski on this single issue is too
dismissive.

"I know where Mark is coming from," George said. "I can remember kids
in the 1960s who were shot up and given drugs for injuries. Many of
those guys are gimping around now. Are pain pills any worse than what
Mark is condoning? Maybe it's the lesser of two evils."

George said it's worth noting Stepnoski was a dedicated athlete. "He
was totally respective toward any coach and school he was associated
with," George said. "You couldn't ask for a better kid. He never put
himself ahead of the team, and I've never heard anything negative
about him. Now he's taking a stance for something. If this is the
worst thing he's ever done, a lot of others should take a look at
themselves."

Stepnoski also has been generous in supporting his alma mater, George
noted.

"Mark was one of the main reasons Prep put in a weight room. He was
one of the people who donated weights and machinery for the weight
room."

A major concern since Stepnoski's admissions is what young athletes
will take from his messages. But Prep Athletic Director Bill Flanagan
said the issue is not one students have addressed with him.

"But other people have asked me about it, although I have not been
flooded with phone calls," Flanagan said.

Stepnoski's likeness is among those on the wall of Veterans Stadium
that honor Erie's All-Americans. Whether that portrait should remain
in a venue visited mainly by teenagers has been questioned. But Erie
School District athletic director Gus Picardo said he has not received
one call about the Stepnoski issue.

However, there are discussions under way to possibly relocate the
portraits.

"The Stadium Commission is presently looking into moving them. We have
a committee formed, but no decisions have been made. We'll wait and
see what the committee decides. But I have not heard anything about
the marijuana matter."

Stepnoski has many friends in Erie who stand by him.

Former WSEE sportscaster Chris Hughes, who graduated from Prep with
Stepnoski in 1985 and has remained close with him, said, "If that's
what he believes in, so be it.

"He's obviously free to make up his own mind. If he believes in a
cause, I trust in his judgment. We all respect him enough to know that
if this is what he wants to do, there's no point in trying to
discourage him and there's no point in thinking he has lost his mind."

Hughes pointed out that Stepnoski has attained an enviable position,
though.

"He has the luxury of never having to apply for a job ever again," he
said.