Chargers’ Green Will Submit to Random Tests

Mike Green was welcomed back into the family Thursday after a sobering meeting with Charger owner Alex Spanos in which the young linebacker agreed to submit to random drug tests.

Eight days after his arrest on drug charges, the Green saga appeared to be nearing an end when the third-year pro received permission to report to training camp tonight.

Green, along with 31 other veterans, will be joining some 70 rookies, free agents and veterans who have working out for a week at UC San Diego. It appeared likely that defensive back Jeff Dale, a second-round draft choice, would end his holdout and agree to terms of a multi-year contract, according to Charger sources.

Green pleaded not guilty to possession of cocaine in Municipal Court on Wednesday and asked for drug diversion instead of a trial.

Then came Thursday morning’s meeting with Spanos, which the owner pronounced satisfactory.

“Mike knows there will be no second chance,” Spanos said, “and he agreed to undergo spot drug tests.

“He really humbled himself . . . I didn’t ask for any explanations, but I told him he was fortunate (to get off lightly).”

Spanos said he now considers the issue settled.

Ernie Wright, Green’s agent, agreed that the player received lenient treatment, even though he was more or less compelled to accept random urinalysis as a condition of reinstatement.

The NFL Players Assn. is opposed to spot drug testing and Wright, as a former officer in the group, is also opposed to random urinalysis as a matter of principle.

However, Charger management has stressed that each indiscretion by a player is treated individually, and Wright said he was willing to waive his general opposition to drug testing in this particular case.

“In specific instances, random urinalysis has its place,” Wright said. “The collective bargaining agreement might not condone it, but I think Mike wants to pursue his career here, and if he wants to make himself available (for drug tests), he can do so. That’s one of his options.”

It isn’t certain if Spanos would have taken Green back if he had refused to take random drug tests. But Spanos has been an advocate of mandatory drug testing, and he made a point this week of commending quarterback Dan Fouts for saying he would be willing to take the tests as a means of combatting drug abuse.

Coach Don Coryell had some stern words for Green and his teammates.

“I hope he has really learned his lesson, and I’m sure it will be his last lesson,” Coryell said. “I hope this alerts other players on our feeling about drugs. Others might not be as lucky as Green and get a second chance.”

It has been anything but simple for the Chargers to find a way to retain the services of Green without appearing to be soft on the issue of drug use, their repeated demurrals to the contrary.

“Maybe it will turn out to be a good thing this happened if other players are alerted to the dangers,” Coryell said. “We just won’t tolerate use of any drugs not prescribed by our team doctors.

“Mike should consider himself fortunate that the judge looked at his case the way he did. In my opinion, if you break the law, something should be done.”

Something is being done, but it isn’t going to satisfy anyone with a lust to punish law-breakers.

An Aug. 7 hearing has been scheduled for Green at which Judge Joe O. Littlejohn will grant or deny the diversion, a probation-supervised, out-patient program.

If Green is found eligible, as expected, he will spend about a year in the educational program and will have criminal charges dropped if he successfully completes the program.

Beyond the legalities of the case is the question of why an athlete, with so much to lose, would risk his career for a recreational high.

Wright refused to discuss the Green case specifically, but made some general comments on the possible attractions of cocaine.

“It’s pretty well known that there is peer pressure in professional sports, along with the ready availability of drugs,” he said. “A guy sees friends doing cocaine as a recreational high, and he can’t resist.

“Many players never had money or time without supervision until they made it to the pro level, and then suddenly they have plenty of both. It’s easy to fall into a trap of thinking you’re not hurting yourself or your team, when in fact you are. I have no answers for the problem other than continuing education.”

Wright said he thought Green’s reputation as a bright, hard-working individual had helped him through this crisis.

“Mike is fortunate he had conducted himself well in his two years with the Chargers, because that made it easier and more palatable for Mr. Spanos to treat him in an understanding way,” he said.

“I had never met Mr. Spanos before the meeting today, but I was very impressed with his sincerity and his wish to give Mike a chance to continue his career. We’re all aware that Mike might not have had that chance.”

Wright said he would bet on Green’s taking advantage of his second chance.

“I don’t think he really realized how many friends he has on this team,” Wright said. “Today, when he walked into the Charger offices, it was like coming home from a long vacation or illness.

“There were hugs and kisses all around, and it was a very moving experience.”

But the bottom line remains. Mike Green can not afford any more mistakes. Another lapse and he is likely to follow Alan Wiggins and Chuck Muncie out of town.