POLL: ISSUE POLARIZES HOMETOWN FANS

Mark Stepnoski long has been one of Erie's favorite sons, and for good
reason. On a series of national stages, Stepnoski has imbued area
residents with pride and allowed them a sense of accomplishment.

But his most recent platform -- marijuana use and legalization -- has
cost him the respect of more than a few hometown fans, while others
have a newfound consideration for his values.

An Erie Times-News poll asked readers if Stepnoski's involvement with
the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws or his
admitted use of marijuana during his NFL playing career tarnished
their perception of his image or athletic achievements. There were 907
readers who responded by phone, e-mail or at www.GoErie.com, and 488
of them -- 54 percent -- said no, their perception of Stepnoski had
not changed.

"Something as picayune as smoking marijuana throughout his career?
That would be like a guy's accomplishments being changed because he
got a DUI or something," a Stepnoski supporter said.

Said another reader: "He's a good person, and what he does outside his
NFL career and when he was not on the football field shouldn't matter."

The issue has had a polarizing effect, however, with Stepnoski fans
and friends, drug-legalization advocates and well-wishers lining up
against, among others, anti-drug workers, parents and coaches
concerned with the message Stepnoski is sending to youngsters.

"If I was an Erie resident, I would ban him from speaking to any youth
groups," an opponent said. "He's an embarrassment. He should be
ashamed to show himself in the area."

Others see the issue strictly in athletic terms. Stepnoski won two
Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys and reached five Pro Bowls, but
one reader wondered "how much better he could have been playing if he
hadn't been smoking."

More respondents than not backed Stepnoski's stance.

"I would much rather see him do that than take steroids or something
else. I really respect him for having the guts to come out and admit
it," Patrick McCafferty said.

"I think that it is time that outstanding individuals of his caliber
step up and show this country that our drug laws are stupid,
especially with marijuana," a reader said.

"God love him for doing what makes him feel good," said another.

"Mark Stepnoski is a brave man for speaking out," one respondent said.
"Many people smoke marijuana, and we are not any worse than a beer
drinker."

"By taking a public stance on marijuana that a lot of people might not
agree with, Mark Stepnoski is showing the same type of courage he did
every week on the football field," a Stepnoski ally said. "If
anything, my perception of him has changed for the better. We could be
looking at the next Bill Bradley here, people!"

"I am not against Mark Stephanopolous on his marijuana," a confused
respondent said. "I use it, and I do fairly well on it."

Finally, a reader said, "He's an awesome athlete, and he smokes pot.
So what?"

Plenty of readers were waiting to say "because."

"He's just given the green light to kids who are in middle school --
heck, even elementary school -- that know where to get marijuana that
it's all right to smoke because Mark Stepnoski says it is," an
opponent said.

"Young people in this world that looked up to him -- the message he
put out (to them) is 'Smoke dope, kids, smoke dope. Anytime you have a
little pain, smoke a little dope, it'll make you feel better.' It's a
terrible thing he did," a reader said.

"I teach my own children, as well as my students in school, that
marijuana is an illegal drug that is wrong to use," Kathy Schupp said.

"I was very disappointed to read about Mark Stepnoski's marijuana use
and the fact that he avoided detection during his drug testing. Isn't
it great that this NFL star could break the law and get away with it
- - such a positive role model for our young athletes," Schupp said.

Karol Clement wrote, "While waiting for my daughter at Collegiate
Academy, I saw Stepnoski's picture painted on the Stadium wall, and
that bothered me. This sends a dual message to our youth. Parents and
teachers tell us drugs will interfere with our success and ruin our
lives, but there is Stepnoski telling us that to succeed he had to use
marijuana, and if he can use, why can't I?"

"My perception of Stepnoski: Zero," a reader said. "He is simply another
overpaid athlete who thinks that society's rules don't apply to him."

Some readers weren't upset with his message so much as his timing.
Stepnoski waited until after his lucrative career was over before
coming out in favor of marijuana.

"He didn't even have the courage to come out prior or during his
football career. He's waited until the end, he's over and done, and
now he's in a magazine and he's promoting," one reader said. "It's
just a very shallow approach."

What's clear is that Stepnoski, who now lives in Texas, remains a
crucial piece of the fabric of Erie society. Some readers believe his
acts reflect poorly upon Erie; others who have supported him for years
say they feel let down; and still others won't abandon Stepnoski
simply for stating his beliefs.

"Nothing will ever diminish Mark's career accomplishments," a reader
said. "But it is so disappointing to see a hometown boy follow the
sad, pathetic path of so many self-indulgent rich and famous."