Justin Blackmon Gets Probation For Third DUI, Avoids Jail

Justin Blackmon was in court on Wednesday for his third DUI which he received back in December. Bill Haisten wrote a terrific story for the Tulsa World about being there and how surreal the entire scene was. You should go read it.

As for the sentencing. Blackmon got off with probation, community service and a $1,000 fine. No jail, but if he gets another DUI in the next 11 years it could be a felony.

“It’s nothing out of the ordinary,” Blackmon’s lawyer James Gilmartin told the Tulsa World. “He wasn’t treated any differently than any other defendant. The judge was very fair. He asked that (Blackmon) complete the court-ordered requirements before sentencing him, and Justin did that.”

Justin Blackmon arrives at the Carter County District Court in Ardmore for his 2 p.m. sentencing. #okstate pic.twitter.com/EKK6Vbyfqy

— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) August 24, 2016

Somehow Blackmon is also technically still with the Jacksonville Jaguars even though he’s also technically not allowed to play in the NFL. Or wasn’t last year.

Confirmed via @APMarkLong that Justin Blackmon DID apply for reinstatement and was denied.

— Mike Dempsey (@md_1010xl) May 9, 2015

As Haisten wrote, this story is of the saddest variety. Blackmon, who is living in Dallas and will have to drive back to Oklahoma to check in with the DA in Ardmore monthly, had it all. I’m not saying the NFL is the ultimate end game for anyone’s life, but you at least want to go out on your own terms to immerse yourself in something else.

Maybe Blackmon is all right now. Maybe he’s peaceful. Maybe the story of him throwing away millions of dollars and a life in his 20s of fame is more important to us than it is to him (this is likely the case), but you still have to wonder if he lies awake at night and thinks about it. You have to wonder which parts he regrets.

Maybe none of it. Maybe that’s the point of the story. Maybe you just move on to the next thing. But as a fan, every Blackmon court appearance is a reminder to me of what once was and what will never be again. A metaphor for life but much more sad.