By Inigo “Naughty” Zenicazelaya

I’ve seen substance abuse derail many a superstar athlete, even savagely cutting some down in their prime.

So when I see an athlete rebound from their addictions, and return to the playing field, focused and prepared to make the most of a second chance, I can only support their efforts.

Now, when it’s a Dallas Cowboy involved, it makes it even easier for me.

Such is the case with Cowboys DE Randy Gregory, ultra talented athlete, haunted by an addiction to alcohol and drugs.

Gregory missed last season, and most of the 2016 season, due to NFL suspensions for failed drug tests.

After a twenty month hiatus, Gregory finally returned to practice last week after being reinstated by the NFL.

It was shocking how good he looked in practice, it looked as if he never left.

Gregory didn’t get to sack Andy Dalton or the other Bengals’ quarterbacks in last Saturday’s preseason game, but he did just about everything else that could have been asked of him on such short notice.

As Kevin Boilard of 247Sports noted, the Bengals went three-and-out on their first two possessions of the game.

Both drives ended with incompletions on third down.

Both of those incompletions were caused by pressure generated by Gregory.

Against both the run and pass, Gregory made a point to never give up on a play.

He joined scrums.

He chased receivers.

He did everything in his power to impact the game until he heard a whistle.

You can’t teach or coach effort, and the time he spent away from the game seems to have done Gregory some good.

However stellar on field performances, does not equate to staying sober off of it.

Matured

But it shows that he has matured, is focused with his head is in the right place.

Gregory is making the most of his comeback opportunity, and based on the way that the rest of the defence looks so far, it appears that his attitude is infectious.

Gregory opened up to the media in post game interviews, telling the Dallas Star - Telegram :

“It feels real good, I don’t know how to explain it.

“I haven’t played in an actual game in close to two years. Practice is one thing, but to actually get on the field with the guys felt good.”

Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garret, offered these remarks regarding Gregory’s performance in the game against the Bengals last Saturday night:

“He looked quick and explosive.

“He looked like himself. He is a really natural pass rusher with a lot of skills.

“Hopefully this will be a stepping stone for more action in the future.”

Despite not being ready to be a Week 1 starter, because he is just getting back to work on the practice field now, Gregory and the Cowboys still may have the NFL’s best defensive front.

And now what they have is a chance to be truly special on defence, allowing Randy Gregory to continue to show how special he is, in more ways than one.

I will root extra hard for Gregory this season, for his continued success on and off the field, whether it’s his fight against mammoth offensive linemen or staying sober.