[SendShaqtoIraq]

""In Jr. High School, my football coach cut our nose tackle because he saw him smoking somewhere off campus. I guess that didn't merit a blithering newspaper article in 1973."


I'd say the only reason this is mentioned is because it went to court. On the other hand..while smoking is obviously unhealthy...especially for athletes..I think it's wrong he got kicked off the team. Did the rules say that he could be kicked off if deemed a smoker?"

In JUNIOR high school, it is also illegal for him to smoke, unless he's really, really, really, dumb. In that case he would have also been over the legally allowed to play age for that group.

[Freedom2specul8]

I'm not sure about that...in the 70's...I was able to buy a pack of cigarettes at at 13! I think that law didn't come out until what..the 80's? Even if it was illegal..maybe the player was off school property perhaps? I kind of thought he was ON property..which should have just caused a suspension. Maybe the suspension could have kicked him off the team..but not the smoking.