Some people just never figure it out.
According to the Associated Press,
Minnesota Vikings running back and former Oregon star Onterrio Smith was caught with an elaborate contraption designed to beat drug tests at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport on April 21.
A search of a bag Smith was carrying turned up several vials of dried urine and a device called “The Original Whizzinator,” which includes a fake penis, bladder and
athletic supporter.
The device sells for $150 on the maker’s Web site and is used to produce a clean urine test. The user fills a plastic bag attached to the athletic supporter with water and blends it with the dried urine powder. When the user takes a drug test in front of an observer, the water is released through the prosthetic penis with a valve.
An NFL spokesman said using the device during a drug test would be a violation of league drug policies, but it wasn’t clear whether there were penalties for possessing one outside of a testing situation.
Police became suspicious of Smith’s possessions because the dried urine powder looked like cocaine. Smith told police the dried urine was for his cousin. Smith was then released after brief questioning.
The 24-year-old’s drug problems have been well-documented. He was kicked off the Tennessee football team in 2000 for using marijuana and already has two strikes against him under the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He got the second last season and was suspended for four games. A third violation could earn him a year-long suspension.
I don’t care if the dried urine police found in Smith’s bag was for his cousin, a teammate or his homey D-Rob back in Sacramento, Calif. Smith should have distanced himself from all drug-related paraphernalia by now.
Smith’s actions are selfish and stupid.
He has the talent to be an NFL starter but doesn’t seem to have the heart or desire to stay out of trouble. Even if he’s not suspended for his actions, this has to hurt Smith’s chances of playing in the Vikings’ talented backfield with Michael Bennett, Mewelde Moore and Moe Williams.
While there’s no questioning Smith’s abilities — he still managed to lead the Vikes in rushing last year despite the four-game suspension — a line has to be drawn somewhere. Minnesota recently cleansed itself of talented but troubled wide receiver Randy Moss, and it should do the same with Smith.
If the Vikings release Smith, they still have plenty of talent at running back, and the team will have fewer headaches to deal with.
Then, hopefully Smith can cleanse himself of the wacky tabacky and catch on with
another team.
Please, figure it out Onterrio.

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