FitzPatrick of USC Failed a Drug Test : Chargers Don’t Consider First-Round Pick a Risk

Owner Alex Spanos of the San Diego Chargers has said that he doesn’t view USC offensive tackle James FitzPatrick as a risk, even though FitzPatrick tested positive for marijuana earlier this year.

FitzPatrick, a first-round choice by the Chargers in Tuesday’s National Football League draft, was identified by Spanos as one of 54 players who tested positive for drugs at league workouts in New Orleans in January.

Spanos, who has been one of the league’s most outspoken owners on the need for mandatory testing to combat drug use, identified FitzPatrick in an article published Thursday in the Escondido Times Advocate. Spanos said later that he had thought the remarks concerning FitzPatrick were off the record.

Meanwhile, Thursday’s editions of the New York Times and Boston Globe reported that one other first-round selection and 24 other players picked in the draft also tested positive for drug use at scouting camps last winter.

None of those players, who included four second-round selections and two third-round picks, was identified.

The tests were conducted on 335 players last January as part of a complete physical examination at camps conducted by the league’s scouting combines.

Although many clubs had said they would not draft any of those who reportedly tested positive, the 26 were chosen by the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Oilers, Kansas City Chiefs, the Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, besides the Chargers.

FitzPatrick has been tested by the Chargers several times since January and has been clean each time, according to Spanos. The player has agreed to random testing during his Charger career, Spanos said.

“I sat down with the young man and told him there was no way I would draft him if he wouldn’t agree to be tested,” Spanos said. “He told me he intends to keep clean, and I believe him. I’m cautious and a good judge of people. Hey, I raised four kids myself. Just because he made a mistake doesn’t mean he’ll do it again.”

FitzPatrick apparently was not subjected to a drug test in the random drug screening program that was begun last fall at USC, according to Athletic Director Mike McGee.

“Over 50% of our players will be tested by the end of this year, but I don’t believe he was included in the testing last fall,” McGee said.

He said that over a two-year period, every athlete at USC would be subjected to random testing.

“We are very much concerned about the confidentiality of our program,” McGee said, “but I can tell you that it is working well and has helped us identify several special problems that needed attention. It may not result in the eradication of drug use, but it should help eliminate problems.”

McGee said he believes the disclosure of FitzPatrick’s problem is an obstacle the player seems capable of surmounting. “I think he is an individual who learns from his mistakes and that he will overcome this,” McGee said.

Spanos had said earlier this spring that he would be opposed to drafting any of the 54 players who tested positively in the New Orleans drug screening. Spanos later modified his stance, saying he would demand a player’s consent to random drug testing before the Chargers would consider selecting him.

Spanos said Thursday he is not altering his position on drug use.

“Absolutely, emphatically not,” he said. “I’ve made a commitment on this issue, and I will stand by it. I feel the fans have a lot of faith in my stand.”

During the NFL meetings in Rancho Mirage in March, Spanos said drug abuse is the biggest issue facing the NFL. “Something has got to be done,” he said in calling for random testing. “(Commissioner) Pete Rozelle has taken a strong stand, and he’s taking a big step in that direction (of spot testing). The step has been forced on him. As he admits, he can’t sit back and wait any longer.”

FitzPatrick was unavailable for comment, but his agent, Leigh Steinberg, was taken aback by Spanos’ disclosure.

“The NFL conducts testing on prospective draftees, the results of which are a matter between the club and player,” Steinberg said. “It’s very surprising that there would be any public discussion of the results of that private workout process.”

Steinberg would not say whether FitzPatrick had consented to random drug testing.

The Chargers have a right to demand random testing, according to Jim Miller, director of administration of the NFL Management Council.

“Under the collective bargaining agreement, the Chargers would have reasonable cause to ask for random testing,” Miller said.

Spanos has made a determined effort to rid his team of drug users and has said he believes there are only two current Chargers who have had any involvement with drugs--linebacker Mike Green and defensive back Danny Walters.

The Chargers, partly at the behest of Spanos, eliminated from their roster several suspected drug abusers, including Chuck Muncie, last season. But Spanos was said to be concerned that other teams picked up the players in question.

His thinking, according to associates, is that a tough stance on drugs has to be universal to be effective.