Home Player Spotlight When Random is No Longer Random; The Case of James Harrison

When Random is No Longer Random; The Case of James Harrison

by Steeldad

I would not dare utter the words “random,” “sample,” “drug test” or “Goodell” in the presence of James Harrison today. The Steelers’ linebacker announced to the world this morning that he has been “randomly selected” for drug testing for a third time this month. That brings his total to eight on the season. 

The definition of the word ‘random’ is “made, done, happening, or chosen without method or conscious decision.” The definition of a ‘random sample’ is a sample in which each individual or object in the population has an equal chance of being selected

theres-a-chanceMathematically of course, it is possible for Harrison to have been “randomly selected” this often. Unfortunately, those odds are incredibly long and quite unlikely but I’ll admit they have chance. This chance is about the same as the one Lloyd Christmas had of dating Mary Swanson in ‘Dumb and Dumber’ but hey, I guess there’s a chance right?

Let’s come back to reality though. To even use the word ‘random’ in Harrison’s case is an insult to all things random. This is a witch hunt by Roger Goodell who still is likely hurt by Harrison’s comments from a Men’s Journal article several years ago. Goodell sees Harrison’s success this season at the age of 38 and views it as an opportunity to crush Harrison. 

Goodell would love nothing better than to prove that Harrison, who posts videos every day of his incredible workouts, is a cheater who is using banned substances. 

Now granted, not all players are as forthcoming as Deebo is when it comes to their drug tests but it won’t stop me from believing that no other player in the NFL has been tested as often. Until I see otherwise that’s what I will believe. I raised this question earlier this week when Harrison was it for the second time this month.

If Goodell and his minions think that Harrison, because of his age, is using PEDs then why hasn’t the league made Tom Brady test just as often? He’s a year older than Harrison and is playing at an extremely high level. Perhaps Brady has been picked on enough though huh? Maybe leaving Brady alone now is Goodell’s way of saying “I’m sorry” about the Deflategate crap.

I’ve seen several people on our Facebook page and on Twitter suggest Harrison sue the NFL for harassment. I agree with those folks but they know as well as I do that would be futile considering the immense size of the NFL’s legal team and never-ending flow of money. It just wouldn’t be worth Harrison’s time or money but ya, I feel the same way people.

If at the end of the day, I find out other players have been tested just as “randomly” as Harrison or if he should be found to have used PEDs, I’ll gladly write my apologies. I don’t think I’ll be doing that though. This has all the signs of another “Roger Goodell-led ” fiasco and yet another reason why his reign of terror needs to end.

And there’s nothing random about that. 

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