The Kansas City Chiefs‘ reign as Super Bowl champions has hit a rough patch, with off-field controversies threatening to overshadow their on-field dominance. Recent arrests of offensive linemen Wanya Morris and Chukwuebuka Godrick have added fuel to the fire. The two professionals according to reports were charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession on May 17 in Kansas.

Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy had arrested Morris and Godrick on Thursday night. Eventually, after a video appearance, both individuals posted a $2,500 bond and it was reported that they were released on Friday just before 2 a.m. Despite the release, these actions of the athletes have left fans fuming and questioning the team’s discipline and focus.

“Damn the Super Bowl champions have so many jackasses on their team,” a Chiefs fan lamented on social media. The news quickly spread like wildfire, with fans expressing their disappointment and frustration. ‘Not Quite An Athlete’ sarcastically remarked on the Chiefs’ tumultuous offseason: “Rashee Rice, Harrison Butker, and now Wanya Morris and Chukwuebuka Godrick | The Chiefs are having a fun offseason.”

These legal issues compound the already precarious situation surrounding wide receiver Rashee Rice, who is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly causing a six-car pileup while driving at a reported 119 miles per hour. ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes Rice is likely to receive a multi-game suspension, a potential game-changer for the Chiefs’ offense.

The Chiefs’ management’s response, or lack thereof, to these controversies, will play a crucial role in shaping the team’s future and maintaining the trust and support of their fanbase. humorously critiqued the team’s current PR struggles:

The NFL has grappled with players’ use of marijuana, resulting in disciplinary actions and ongoing debates over the league’s substance policies. Recent high-profile cases have brought these issues to the forefront once again.

NFL Players’ marijuana use sparks disciplinary action and policy debates

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell admitted in a podcast interview last year that he smoked marijuana before NFL games, saying, “When I was playing football, I smoked, bro. Even before the games, I’d smoke, and I’d go out there and run for 150 [yards], two [touchdowns].” Bell and his then-teammate LeGarrette Blount were arrested in 2014 for possessing 20 grams of marijuana. Bell faced legal consequences including probation, license suspension, and a three-game NFL suspension that was initially four games.

Other players like Randy Gregory, Darren Waller, Ricky Williams, Josh Gordon, and Martavis Bryant have also received suspensions for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, often due to marijuana use. The NFL has strict policies prohibiting marijuana, though its stance has evolved somewhat in recent years. Before 2021, the league suspended players for positive tests, but now it tests them only once per year before training camp and fines, rather than suspends, players for positive results.

However, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has expressed concerns about marijuana’s potential addictiveness and health effects. In 2021, Goodell stated the league still views marijuana as “potentially addictive” and “unhealthy for players,” emphasizing the need for medical advisors’ support before changing policies. Goodell said the NFL wants to support players in managing pain but must ensure actions don’t lead to negative consequences. He cited legal complexities with players crossing state lines where marijuana laws differ. The NFL awarded $1 million in 2022 for research on cannabinoids’ effects on pain management and concussions in elite football players, signaling some openness to the issue.

As debates continue, the league must balance player health and legal considerations while facing calls, including from its union, to further update antiquated marijuana policies. As the Chiefs navigate these choppy waters, they find themselves at a crossroads. Needing to balance team unity with the broader values and expectations of their diverse fanbase.