Predictably, following Ryan Bruan's PED appeal win in the MLB steroids case, professional athletes suspended for either juicing or some other PED impropriety will begin suing their respective professional leagues for dismissional of charges. Let the party begin!
Two of 3 recently suspended Denver Broncos kick off the action in the NFL. To Yahoo Sports:
...On March 9, it was announced that Williams and McBean would each be suspended six games without pay, and Green suspended four games without pay, for violations of the league's policies on performance-enhancing substances. The process seemed sketchy at the time, as Williams pointed out in a statement, and as Green wrote on his Twitter account.
ESPN reported on Tuesday morning that Williams and McBean have filed suit against the NFL.
Perhaps the most bizarre aspect of the case is that the NFL contends the samples given by Williams and McBean were of the "non-human" variety. However, Peter R. Ginsberg, Williams' attorney, said that the since-fired specimen collector was a witness to the ... uh ... "sample collection."
The players contend on different issues; Green on an ADHD medicine (and subsequent Therapeutic Use Exemption, TUE) and Williams/McBean on improper collection procedures:
From Williams, the day the suspensions were handed down:
I understand from media reports today that the NFL has announced a suspension based on a specimen that the NFL acknowledges did not contain steroids or any illegal substance. Instead, the NFL contends that I provided a non-human specimen.
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. 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.
In fact, the specimen collector was fired by the NFL after compromising my specimen as well as others'. The hearing officer, an NFL executive, ignored the NFL's own Policy, engaged in inappropriate communications with top NFL officials about this matter without my knowledge or approval, corrupted the system, ignored that my specimen had been compromised, and now has subjected me to humiliation as well as suspension. We will be vigorously pursuing my rights in the judicial system.
My suspension is unjust; the NFL has undermined and corrupted its own steroid policy.
Green wrote on Twitter that "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."
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