A Dozen Questions for Suspended Rams DT Claude Wroten

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So on Thursday I wrote up and published a fake interview with Claude Wroten, a third-round draft pick out of Louisiana State by the St. Louis Rams in 2006.

I had the questions, and I put in some answers that I thought Wroten might give had he been there to answer and was listening to the advice of a PR agent.

The goal was to take an assignment I didn’t find particularly interesting and make it more fun.

It did not work.

I received the following comment on the column:

“Hello I am Aaron Wroten. I am Claude Wroten's brother. I believe that this article was written out of context. My bro is not a drug head or a drug dealer. We are a family of Christians and we believe that the lord Jesus Christ tests us even in the wake of success. He has paid hid (sic) dues and given his life back to the lord and is also emerging a smart businessman. Please I would like to talk to you if you call me at <Number Deleted>. Thank You for your time.”

Well, don’t I feel like a douche bag.

I guess it’s a good thing to remember every now and then that these people we watch on TV aren’t just there for our amusement.

Not only do they have their own trials and tribulations, they have friends and family who go through the ups and downs, much as my own friends and family go through mine.

Now Wroten isn’t entirely without fault. The arrest and failed drug tests were his. They’re part of his life story. And those of us who attempt to make a living writing the stories of others are well within our right to explore them.

I’ve changed some of these questions up a bit more balanced. I’d still like to know the answers someday, because I bet you there’s a heck of a story in there.

Who knows? Maybe someday we’ll do this for real.

Q: In college, you were arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. You also reportedly tested positive at the NFL Combine, which put you in the NFL Substance Abuse Program. You were then found in violation of the policy in 2007, which drew you a four-game suspension, then again in 2008, which cost you all of last year. Tell me about what it was like to go through that process from the inside.

Q: After that four-game suspension, you had to know you were one mistake away from a year-long suspension. Did you think about that?

Q: Your brother mentioned your family is religious. Has that impacted you while you’ve gone through the difficult past two years?

Q: The Rams have gone after a portion of your rookie contract signing bonus, reportedly to the tune of upward of $200,000. Can you update the fans on how you’re handling the request?

Q: Have you had any contact with Steve Spagnuolo and the new coaching staff?

Q: How do you plan on convincing the new regime that you deserve another chance?

Q: You were a Collegefootballnews.com All-American and First-Team SEC in 2005, playing ahead of Glenn Dorsey, who was the fifth overall pick last year. People were talking about you as a first-round draft pick in 2006 before the legal troubles. Do you still have the ability to dominate like you did in college?

Q: You’re eligible to apply for reinstatement soon. Have you thought about the case you’ll present to Commissioner Goodell?

Q: What if Commissioner Goodell doesn’t allow you back in the league, or if the Rams refuse to take you back? Where do you go from there?

Q: Did you watch the Rams last season? If so, what was it like watching your former teammates struggle, knowing you should have been out there with them?

Q: Looking back at your draft class, it hasn’t had a great deal of success. There were ten of you in that 2006 class. Of the 10, only four can still be considered contributors—Tye Hill, Joe Klopfenstein, Victor Adeyanju and Mark Setterstrom—and none of you have developed into what you would consider elite players. What do you think has been the problem?

Q: If you could leave Rams fans with one message, what would it be?

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