STEROID
03-13-2012, 04:43 PM
Broncos' D.J. Williams, Ryan McBean, Virgil Green suspended for performance-enhancing drugs
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post03/10/2012
Even as the Broncos gleefully courted free-agent quarterback Peyton Manning, the franchise was slapped hard by the NFL. Three players were suspended Friday for violations of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Linebacker D.J. Williams, a starter since the start of his rookie season in 2004, and defensive tackle Ryan McBean were each suspended for the first six games of the 2012 season, and tight end Virgil Green was suspended four games. All three suspensions would begin the Monday before the season opener.
In a statement, the Broncos said: "We are aware of this matter, but due to the confidentiality of the program, we are unable to provide additional comment on the situation."
Williams, who along with cornerback Champ Bailey is the longest-tenured Broncos player on the roster, reacted swiftly Friday afternoon, releasing a statement that said the NFL "ignored my specimen had been compromised," called his suspension "unjust" and said he will pursue legal action against the NFL.
In his statement, Williams also said, "I have never failed a test of any kind — for steroids or illegal substances — during my eight-year pro career. I am proud of my record and proud of the way in which I conduct myself as a professional athlete and citizen."
Three NFL sources said the players were tested before the 2011 season and their appeals have been heard and denied by the league. Williams' statement said "we proved — conclusively — at the NFL hearing on this matter that the NFL and its specimen collector wholly failed in their duties to safeguard and process my specimen properly."
The NFL declined to comment on Williams' allegations.
Peter Schaffer, the agent and attorney for McBean, will take the same action against the league.
"I am going to vigorously fight to make sure Ryan McBean is completely exonerated," Schaffer said. "He's done nothing wrong. He's not been tested positive for anything. Ryan's rights have been so violated by the NFL, it's shameful."
Harold Henderson, who works in the commissioner's office, was the judge in the case.
"I told the judge, 'at least act like you're impartial,' " Schaffer said. " 'I know you're not; just give me a break and act like you're impartial.'
"The NFL admitted their collector screwed up because they terminated him for dereliction of duty. They fired the collector, they said the collector clearly violated protocol and they still (found against) the players. The players never — this is very important — the players never tested positive for a steroid."
Unlike the league's policy on illegal drugs — in which a first failed test results in the player entering a drug rehabilitation program without a suspension — the first violation under the policy on performance-enhancing substances results in a suspension.
Green received a four-game suspension for a first-time positive test. A league source said Williams and McBean each received two additional games to their suspensions because of inconsistencies on the players' part during the collection of the urine samples. Williams said the league informed him he had submitted "a nonhuman sample."
Green posted on his Twitter account: "I was suspended for taking ADHD medication prior to approval from NFL. I have now been approved to take the medication to treat my ADHD. I apologize to my teammates, the Bronco organization and my family and friends. Thank you guys for all your support."
Williams' and McBean's suspensions would cost them six game checks, and Green's suspension would cost him four game checks. In Williams' case, he has the third-highest salary cap figure on the team ($6.732 million) with a $5 million base salary, so his suspension would cost him $1.77 million.
Because the team's makeover on defense continues and Williams has one of the highest cap numbers, his future is uncertain.
McBean is a restricted free agent, meaning the Broncos could match offers he receives from any other team.
Green is scheduled to make a $465,000 base salary, so his suspension will cost him $109,412.
All three players, if under contract with the team, can participate in all offseason activities, including training camp and preseason games.
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post03/10/2012
Even as the Broncos gleefully courted free-agent quarterback Peyton Manning, the franchise was slapped hard by the NFL. Three players were suspended Friday for violations of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Linebacker D.J. Williams, a starter since the start of his rookie season in 2004, and defensive tackle Ryan McBean were each suspended for the first six games of the 2012 season, and tight end Virgil Green was suspended four games. All three suspensions would begin the Monday before the season opener.
In a statement, the Broncos said: "We are aware of this matter, but due to the confidentiality of the program, we are unable to provide additional comment on the situation."
Williams, who along with cornerback Champ Bailey is the longest-tenured Broncos player on the roster, reacted swiftly Friday afternoon, releasing a statement that said the NFL "ignored my specimen had been compromised," called his suspension "unjust" and said he will pursue legal action against the NFL.
In his statement, Williams also said, "I have never failed a test of any kind — for steroids or illegal substances — during my eight-year pro career. I am proud of my record and proud of the way in which I conduct myself as a professional athlete and citizen."
Three NFL sources said the players were tested before the 2011 season and their appeals have been heard and denied by the league. Williams' statement said "we proved — conclusively — at the NFL hearing on this matter that the NFL and its specimen collector wholly failed in their duties to safeguard and process my specimen properly."
The NFL declined to comment on Williams' allegations.
Peter Schaffer, the agent and attorney for McBean, will take the same action against the league.
"I am going to vigorously fight to make sure Ryan McBean is completely exonerated," Schaffer said. "He's done nothing wrong. He's not been tested positive for anything. Ryan's rights have been so violated by the NFL, it's shameful."
Harold Henderson, who works in the commissioner's office, was the judge in the case.
"I told the judge, 'at least act like you're impartial,' " Schaffer said. " 'I know you're not; just give me a break and act like you're impartial.'
"The NFL admitted their collector screwed up because they terminated him for dereliction of duty. They fired the collector, they said the collector clearly violated protocol and they still (found against) the players. The players never — this is very important — the players never tested positive for a steroid."
Unlike the league's policy on illegal drugs — in which a first failed test results in the player entering a drug rehabilitation program without a suspension — the first violation under the policy on performance-enhancing substances results in a suspension.
Green received a four-game suspension for a first-time positive test. A league source said Williams and McBean each received two additional games to their suspensions because of inconsistencies on the players' part during the collection of the urine samples. Williams said the league informed him he had submitted "a nonhuman sample."
Green posted on his Twitter account: "I was suspended for taking ADHD medication prior to approval from NFL. I have now been approved to take the medication to treat my ADHD. I apologize to my teammates, the Bronco organization and my family and friends. Thank you guys for all your support."
Williams' and McBean's suspensions would cost them six game checks, and Green's suspension would cost him four game checks. In Williams' case, he has the third-highest salary cap figure on the team ($6.732 million) with a $5 million base salary, so his suspension would cost him $1.77 million.
Because the team's makeover on defense continues and Williams has one of the highest cap numbers, his future is uncertain.
McBean is a restricted free agent, meaning the Broncos could match offers he receives from any other team.
Green is scheduled to make a $465,000 base salary, so his suspension will cost him $109,412.
All three players, if under contract with the team, can participate in all offseason activities, including training camp and preseason games.