Johnny Jolly realized his dream when the Green Bay Packers drafted him in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Entry Draft. From 2006-09, the Houston native suited up for 48 games with the Packers. In 2008 he earned a starting position at defensive end, and in 2009 he contributed to the top run defence in the league. His career—and the team—was on the rise.
But things were spiralling out of control for Jolly off the field. Jolly had become addicted to codeine, a medical ingredient found in certain prescription cough syrups and a Schedule IV controlled substance in the U.S. The drug is cut with soda and candy, due to popularization by Houston-area rappers, and is known as “purple drank” or “lean.”
Jolly was arrested in July of 2008; he was in possession of 200 grams of codeine, a second-degree felony. Jolly’s day in court was pushed back until July 2010 and resulted in probation. Meanwhile, the NFL decided to suspend him “indefinitely” ahead of the 2010 season. That happened to be the year the Packers won Super Bowl XLV. Jolly watched the team he should have been on reach the highest of highs, as he continued down a dark path of his own.
He was arrested again in March 2011 with 600 grams of codeine. The second arrest led to jail time for Jolly, a six-year sentence. By all accounts, Johnny Jolly’s football career was over. That’s what makes Jolly’s return in 2013 so remarkable.
Jolly was released just six months into his six-year prison sentence and given 10 years of “shock” probation. Shock probation is a sentencing option reserved for first-time offenders whom the judge decides would be better reformed outside of prison.
The decision was a second chance for Jolly, and one that he has so far taken full advantage of. The NFL reinstated him in February 2013, and the Packers invited the 6’3’’, 340-lb defender to their summer mini camps, with little expectation that he would make the final roster.
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media about Jolly’s return to the team after his three-year hiatus from football.
“He’s definitely someone that you know can do it, but this is more of a question about life and second chances,” says McCarthy. “We feel he’s gone through the necessary rehabilitation and training to get to this spot. I’m excited to give him this opportunity.”
Making the cut with an NFL team is hard. Making an NFL team after three years of addiction, rehabilitation, and jail time is almost an impossible goal. But Jolly was determined to get back out on the field.
“I’ve made my mistakes. I’ve learned from my mistakes, and I’m here today a better man,” says Jolly in an article on Packers.com.
“From the day I got suspended, I always knew I would get back, but I never knew when. I never thought it would be three years.”
During the pre-season, Jolly showed that he was still in fine form, even at 30 years old. When Green Bay made the final player cuts, trimming the roster to 53, Jolly received the news that he was once again an NFL player.
“It’s amazing that I’m even back in this situation,” said Jolly. “I have to take advantage of every chance I get.”
In his first significant football game in three years, Jolly started on the Packers defensive line in the season-opener against the San Francisco 49ers. He was awarded a sack on 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and despite losing the game, Jolly and the Packers defence held the San Francisco running game in check.
Overcoming addiction is a lifelong struggle that Jolly will carry with him. But if he can keep out of trouble off the field and continue to be a menace to opposing offences during games, Jolly may get the opportunity to make up for lost time – and find redemption.
