After 3-years of court rooms, incarceration and drug rehab programs, Johnny Jolly
Johnny Jolly
has served his time and now hopes to resume a once promising pro football career.
Jolly returned to the practice field with the Green Bay Packers for the first time on Tuesday as the Packers opened their off-season mandatory minicamp.
Jolly has been through multiple arrests for possession of codeine, a drug that Jolly said he was addicted to. Jolly said he’s clean now and hasn’t touched in 19 months.
AUDIO: Jolly said he’s forever grateful to the Packers :14
The Packers selected Jolly in the 6th round of the 2006 draft. During the first day of minicamp workouts, Jolly took roughly a dozen snaps during team periods and participated in all individual drills.
Jolly is getting a second chance, but it comes at a greatly reduced price. He was set to make more than $2-million this season, but that salary has been reduced to $710,000 if he makes the roster.
Jolly weighed in at 340-pounds during his physical. That’s about 15-pounds heavier than his playing weight.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said he just wants to get Jolly back in a routine. Then it’s a wait & see approach, waiting to see how a player that has been away from the game for three years, will fit back in.
AUDIO: Mike McCarthy on waiting to see what Jolly will have after missing 3-years :24