The Jacksonville Axemen have suspended two of their veteran players after they became overly intoxicated during the return portion of the weekend trip to New York City. Both players had “quite a bit” to drink during the day and continued once they arrived at the John F Kennedy Airport to wait for their return flight. One of the players was “borderline” being allowed board the plane and it was only the common sense and maturity of the remainder of the team that enabled the situation to be contained within the playing group without incident or impact to other travelers.
Co-owner and Coach Spinner Howland has released a statement that is blunt and meant to serve are a warning to the entire Axemen playing core.
“The Jacksonville Axemen have zero tolerance for any member that acts in any way that could be detrimental to the team. Thankfully in the three years we have been operating we have never had a situation like this because of our policy being clearly spelt out in the player code of conduct agreement that each member must sign.
There are three main reasons we will remove any member from our playing core when situations such as this occur.
#1 I make will not mix my words when I say that myself and my business partner, Drew Slover, and a core group of supporters and players have put in an enormous amount of time, effort and money to get the Axemen to the professionally operated team we are today. I will not allow any individual to jeopardize that hard work and I will not let such actions go without consequence. I don’t care how good a player is or in some cases how in-expendable a player may think he is, all players will be held to the same standard and all players will face the same consequences. Veterans and Rookies are still Axemen to the average guy sitting in the seat next to them.
#2 We make sure that all our players understand the full impact that sponsors have on us as a team and how we therefore have an impact on them. Whether it is their products we promote, their brand we represent or their services we use and therefore endorse, they are expecting us to do these things in a professional and courteous manner. Any player that thinks he is exempt from this type of professional behavior has no place on the Jacksonville Axemen roster. We work very hard to convince our sponsors that we are a professionally run organization. We are tired of the typical stories that you hear so often about Rugby. We are not a “drinking team with a Rugby problem”. This venture is very serious business and a big part of that is breaking the “mould of perception” about what our sport is about. If anyone does not want to share that vision then we wish them well watching from the grand stand or playing for another team. We don’t need them!
#3 Our fans, supporters and our teammates should not have to worry about us when we are representing the Jacksonville Axemen. It is hard to tell some of our younger player that they are role models for the young fans we have but that is exactly what we are. Kids ask us for autographs after our home games because they look at us as people to be admired. I will not have them admiring guys that may play well but turn into idiots off the field.
These two players put the rest of their teammates in a very awkward situation and forced them to play the role of mediator, damage controller and public welfare officer. When I have players telling me that they feel uncomfortable because of association and they are not able to relax and enjoy their flight home because of the action of one or two players, it is very simple to remove those one or two players for the enjoyment of the rest.
I do not have an problem with the players enjoying a couple of drinks after a game or in the airport waiting area on return flights, but if a player thinks he is going to get intoxicated or act contrary to our code of conduct while representing the Axemen in public then I have some advice for him. Turn in your Axemen kit and leave. We don’t want or need you. It is not open for discussion and it is not negotiable.
Given that this was the annual weekend away for the team and the one time we stay the entire two days, I am sure this is an isolated incident and I am certain this statement and the action taken against the two players concerned will clearly spell out our policy for all future events and travel.
Thanks to all who support the Axemen and you can be assured we strive to be professional and courteous at all times”
The Axemen will suspend the “main offender” for 3 weeks that will see him return for the home games starting July 12th and the second player will be suspended for this weeks game against the Aston Bulls.
The Axemen will not be releasing the names of each played due to possible ramifications or perception in their regular careers but do hope that this serves are a clear message to the players that the Jacksonville Axemen are professionally operated and will not tolerate actions that could damage the Axemen brand.
They also hope that their sponsors and supporters feel comfort knowing at not stage will the Axemen allow any issue to be detrimental due to association with the team.
The Axemen, who usually exclusively fly Southwest Airlines, had used Jet Blue due to their direct service to New York City. They said they would send a written apology to the captain and crew that was subjected to the irresponsible actions of “especially one of our players” and will also ensure that Southwest Airlines is aware of the direct and immediate action taken to ensure this is an isolated incident.