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WR Blackmon: 'Poor decision' is only problem

the sports xchange

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon said Monday that the two strikes against him during less than one year in the NFL doesn't mean he has a drinking or substance abuse problem.

"I would say I don't," Blackmon said Monday. "Out of this whole thing, one of the main things I would say that I had a problem with was just making a poor decision. Making a selfish decision at that, not thinking about the long-term of it ... If you want to ask if I have a problem, I have a problem with making a poor decision."

For Blackmon, who was previously arrested in 2010 on a DUI charge in Texas, the string of poor decisions is beginning to add up. First-year coach Gus Bradley said last month that he believes in Blackmon.

"I told Justin I do trust him. We both have to earn each other's trust and I don't want trust to be mistaken for naive," Bradley said.

Blackmon said Monday he is confident his off-field issues are over.

He received a four-game suspension to start the 2013 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The fifth overall pick by the Jaguars in 2012, Blackmon had 64 receptions for 865 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season.

Blackmon, who pleaded guilty to DUI in July, can return Sept. 30, the league announced. Until then, he's doing his best to surround himself with supporters.

"Just lean on my support group," Blackmon said. "(GM) David (Caldwell) and (coach) Gus (Bradley) have been very supportive ever since they've been here. I've been going in and talking to them almost every day. Having them there, having the teammates here that I have here have been very supportive here and it feels good to have people I can lean on and talk to."

Blackmon was arrested during a traffic stop in Oklahoma June 3, and later took a breath test that allegedly showed his blood-alcohol content to be three times the legal limit. An Oklahoma judge accepted Blackmon's plea and deferred his sentence for one year. Blackmon had to pay a $500 fine, $100 to a drug abuse and treatment fund and complete 50 hours of community service.