Dolphins first-round pick Laremy Tunsil was robbed of any chance to have a normal transition into the NFL when someone hacked his phone and posted a video of the former college student smoking what appears to be marijuana out of a gas mask pipe.
So a few weeks into offseason workouts, it's nice to see Tunsil's world settling down a bit. He told reporters this week that he has yet to hear from the NFL on a substances of abuse policy violation. His coaches are talking about him already like he's an entrenched starter at guard.
"He works," Dolphins offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen said, via The Miami Herald. "He pays attention. He doesn't make the same mistake over and over again, which you look for in a rookie. He leaves those meetings, goes, looks at it and comes on the field and it shows. I've been really impressed with him and, again, it's still teach mode. It's still a new position for him."
Added fellow guard Jamil Douglas: "I knew he was athletic, but I think the guy is ... it's crazy how athletic he is. If you watch him play, how natural his movements are. He's just an athletic guy, smart guy."
It's difficult to feel bad for someone who grew up to be the 13th pick in the NFL draft, or for someone who is still earning $12.45 million over the next four years but consider the fact that this video is now a part of his everyday life. In most web-based stories, something he never intended to make public will be embedded underneath any progress he makes early during his career. It will be a living counterweight to any positive in his life.
So when Tunsil gets a chance to have a typical, trope-filled story written about his progress and how he's ahead of the rookie curve, he should have the chance to enjoy it. It will certainly not be taken for granted.
