Shaun Ellis Suspended and Fined $100,000

New York Jets defensive end, Shaun Ellis, has been suspended without pay by the NFL for the season opener and fined $100,000 for violating league's substance abuse policy. Ellis was arrested in November and charged with possession of marijuana, speeding and driving without insurance (who does that now a days), in Hanover, New Jersey.

"I wasn't surprised. I knew there was a possibility of that. The league made a decision. That's what I have to go by and I have to accept it.It hurts, it's a situation that happened last year and for it to carry on into this year, it's kind of tough. I just wish I would've been able to have dealt with it last year. This year is just going into things fresh with that behind me, but it didn't happen that way. I just have to learn from this mistake and move on; just put it behind me and get ready for Week 2." Ellis said after the morning practice at SUNNY Cortland.

Without Ellis for the season opener, means that the Jets will be without two defensive starters. In July, linebacker Calvin Pace, was suspended for four games without pay for violating the league's policy on performance enhancing substances (always the linebacker).

Shaun Ellis was speeding on the morning of November 29, 2008, when he was pulled over, according to police, he was asked for registration and insurance, but was uncooperative. Hanover Township Police Captain Shawn Waldron, said Ellis willingly turned over the marijuana when the officer smelled it in the car and Ellis said he had smoked some the night before. Waldron also said Ellis had less than 50 grams on him, making it a disorderly-persons offense in New Jersey.

Athletes need to learn that they need to stop going out and acting a fool. Yes they are still normal people, but not that normal because they are athletes with money and people know who they are. So, that means they need to be careful of what they do when out, because like it or not every athlete is a role model even if they don't want to be. And also it is a privilege to do what they do and to be in the league. It can always be taken away from you in the snap of the finger, and I don't think you want to learn that the hard way.