A very popular rap song with the chorus "Sippin on some sizzurp" was written by the group Three Six Mafia. I never liked the song, and I never liked the trend. The trend involves something in the south called "Drank," that involves a mix of codeine with 7up or pieces of Jolly Rancher candy. Well, speaking of Jolly, The Green Bay suspended Defensive End Johnny Jolly for the entire 2010 season for getting caught with codeine cough syrup outside a nightclub in Houston. In fact, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that Jolly may have been more than a recreational user. The paper alleges that Jolly may have in fact, "bought, sold, funded, transported and aided in the buying, selling, funding and transportation of illegal narcotics including cocaine and marijuana."

Yeah, my man is in serious trouble. If convicted on the charge from a related drug possession arrest, Jolly could face up to 20 years in prison.

The Packers organization had this to say:

Johnny is a good player that loves everything about the game of football. We appreciate the contributions he has made to the Packers the past four seasons. His focus and priorities now lie elsewhere – our thoughts are with him during this difficult personal time.

Translation: You were a very good player, but if any of this is true, you might also be incredibly stupid. Thanks for the good times playa, it was real, but we're now going to stay as far away from you as we possibly can.

I'm not sure how I can fathom, for one second, why a successful player in the NFL might possibly lead a double life as a drug dealer. It's one thing that he was in possession of codeine in the first place. But the idea that he actually engaged in such a deep and destructive set of activities is simply unbelievable.

One of the saddest things about this case is how the ignorance of some elements of hip hop culture are leading young black males to get caught up in some of the most ridiculous schemes imaginable. The whole "sizzurp" trend has overtaken the south, in large part because DJ Screw put it in some songs a few years ago. The truth is that the minute I read that Jolly was arrested for possession of "sizzurp," I knew that it happened in Houston.

This is not to disrespect Houston or its residents, but the point here is that the ignorance has got to be shut down. I am not sure why it's the case that there are so many black male athletes caught in bar room stripper brawls, or other situations that could have easily been avoided. What must also be understood is that the trappings of bad culture, bad decisions and a lack of education can lead to a lifetime of misery.

Perhaps all this happens because Jolly, at the tender age of 27, is simply trying to fit in. He and others like him see what the "ballers" and "thugs" are doing, and in order to signal their masculinity, engage in behavior that is ultimately going to ruin their lives. Jolly is covered with tatoos like Lil Wayne, drinking "sizzurp" like Lil Wayne and hanging out "in da club" like Lil Wayne - maybe he wants to be Lil Wayne instead of simply finding comfort in being himself. My hope would be that black men over the age of 35 go out of our way to teach our sons that a real man is a leader, not a follower. Doing something because you want to do it is one thing, but simply following the crowd is a sign of significant weakness.

Although I have a feeling that the Johnny Jolly story is going to end badly, I wish he and his family the best. Now, I'm sure the Green Bay Packers will go out and find another Defensive End and simply keep it moving. That's the way business works.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the Athlete Liberation and Academic Reform Movement (ALARM). To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.