I have long espoused the need for mandatory alcohol and DUI educational programs for organizations where alcohol seems to be an issue. The Denver Broncos football team, a proud member of the National Football League, needs to implement mandatory online alcohol education and DUI courses for both players and front office personnel immediately.
Obviously there is something wrong with the air in the Mile High City. Not only have residents legalized marijuana for recreational purposes, but their sports teams seem to suffer from an abnormally high rate of DUI behavior. In the last six months Colorado Rockies legend Todd Helton was busted for DUI after driving to the store to buy chewing tobacco and lottery tickets. As reported in www.nfl.com.
More recently two prominent members of the Donkeys’ front office staff have been busted for DUI too.
Denver Broncos president Joe Ellis hit "send" on an email the likes of which plenty of other executives have surely had to distribute.
Maybe they've stemmed from a couple of incidents around holiday parties for the insurance company boss, or a few things that went down over Memorial Day weekend for the hedge-fund manager, or some embarrassing episode at a convention for the sales team.
The difference here, in the case of the missive sent by Ellis, is twofold. First, because of the high-profile nature of the team and the league in which it plays, Ellis can't quietly discipline his employees, make an example for everyone else, and move on. And second, no matter how he decided to take action -- in this case, it meant suspending director of pro personnel Tom Heckert for a month and director of player Matt Russell indefinitely after their arrests for driving under the influence -- there was going to be a segment of his employees watching closely for double standards.
I certainly believe John Elway should implement mandatory online alcohol classes for all players and employees of the Broncos organization.