Miami Heat Player Dion Waiters Gets 10-Game Suspension After Tripping Out On Edibles
He was put on a 10-game suspension.
Getty Miami Heat’s shooting guard Dion Waiters, 27, recently suffered from a THC overdose on a plane after ingesting marijuana gummies.
On Friday, November 8, Waiters woke up to a seizure on the team plane after taking marijuana gummies. The New York Post reported that the gummies came from a fellow teammate who has not been named and that Waiters simply ate too many. The Heat have chosen to put Waiters on suspension after the incident was discovered, making this the second time this year that Waiters has been put on suspension.
Many news outlets have shared conflicting information on the incident claiming Waiters suffered from a seizure while others like The Washington Post have claimed that the incident was simply a panic attack. Waiters has not responded to the incident, but his mother shared on Instagram that the Heat player is doing fine.
Who is Dion Waiters? Here’s everything we know so far:
1. Waiters was suspended earlier in the year for unprofessional behavior
According to Hip Hop Wired, Waiters was suspended last month after he got into a heated argument with the coach after a preseason game the Houston Rockets. He has missed nine games so far this season — his third with the team in a four-year $52 million contract.
2. He got a 10-day suspension
On Sunday, Waiters was announced with a 10-day suspension. In a Twitter post, the Heat said they were “very disappointed” in Waiters over the plane incident. Check out the post here:
“We are very disappointed in Dion’s actions this season that include the very scary situation on Thursday night and grateful that the outcome wasn’t worse. There have been a number of instances this season in which Dion has engaged in conduct detrimental to the team. We are proud of how our players have started the season,” the statement said. “We expect all of our players, including Dion, to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards and to show professionalism and respect for their teammates, the team, the fans and the NBA community.”
3. He jeopardized his $1 million bonus
According to The Washington Post, Waiters really blew it because he will no longer be eligible to receive a $1.2 million bonus had he played in 70 games this season. He will also lose a total of $800,000 from his 10-game ban. The Washington Post notes that such punishments like this are reserved for major fights, serious drug violations or other heavy misconduct.
4. His mother claims the rumors are false
Waiters’ mother, Monique Brown, shared what she thought about the incident in an Instagram story, Saturday after the news broke, according to The New York Post. “Please don’t believe the rumors the media will report fake news to get clicks and likes,” she said.“Thanks to all who reach out to us concerning @waiters3,” she wrote. “He’s good...we appreciate it.”
5. Twitter users have blown up the feed with memes and comments
Many Twitter users have found humor in Waiters' situation and have taken to the platform to share posts, memes, and photos-some witty and some concerned. Here’s a few just to give you an idea:
"ESPN: A career-high 60 got Dame.
@A_FORD_10: Dion Waiters also had a career high yesterday…"
"When you spent the entire summer hyping Dion Waiters comeback and then he almost get himself killed with candies." — @edoardoconti91
"Dion Waiters took an edible...on a team plane...with every executive on it." — @UnwrittenRul3s
6. He and his wife had a baby this year
On August 5, Waiters and his wife welcomed baby number two, Dream Riley Waiters, to the world. The basketball player announced the exciting news in an Instagram post and said: “B4 the night over & i lock in... heading into #WaitersWeekend we welcome my baby girl (Dream Riley Waiters) life’s great... D3 is official... we gone call her tiny btw she look just like her sister Dior. I had the same baby over....”
Elizabeth Ward is a writing student finishing her bachelor’s at the University of Louisville. She covers news, entertainment, relationships and everything in between.