Chargers tight end Antonio Gates suspended for failed PED test
San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, considered a sure-fire Hall of Famer once he retires, was suspended for the first four games of the NFL season for a violation of the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
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In a statement released via his Twitter feed and the Chargers, Gates blamed the failed test on supplements and holistic medicines:
“In my 12 years in the NFL, I have taken tremendous pride in upholding the integrity of the NFL shield and all that it entails. I have taken extreme care of my body with a holistic approach and never taken any substance that was illegal or banned by the NFL.
“In an effort to recover from a long season and although I was unaware at the time, I regret to confirm that I tested positive for a substance that is currently on the NFL banned substance list. As an NFL veteran and team leader, I should have done my due diligence to ensure that what I was taking for recovery was within the NFL guidelines. I have always believed that ignorance is no excuse when it comes to these issues, and I take full responsibility for my actions.
“I’d like to express my sincere apologies to the Chargers, my teammates, coaches, fans and the league who have always supported me and expected and gotten nothing but the highest level of integrity from me.”
Gates, who just turned 35 on June 18, will be playing his 13th NFL season. After sitting out the first four games, that is.
The Chargers expressed disappointment but supported Gates in their own statement:
“We are tremendously disappointed for our team and our fans as well as Antonio, but no more disappointed than Antonio is with himself. Antonio is a member of the Chargers’ family and we will continue to support him 100-percent. We have the utmost confidence he will stay in excellent shape for the season and be ready to go when he returns in Week 5. While it’s unfortunate to not have him to start the season, we have complete confidence our tight end group will continue to play at a high level.”
The suspension was the fourth the NFL announced on Thursday, right before a three-day holiday weekend. New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (four games), Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain (four games) and Green Bay Packers defensive end Datone Jones (one game) were all suspended for violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy. That’s three former first-round picks. Gates wasn’t drafted but is the biggest star among the group.
Gates revolutionized the tight end position. Gates played basketball at Kent State, but the Chargers signed him. In Gates’ second and third NFL seasons he combined for more than 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns. Other teams started looking for college basketball players with little to no college football experience to play tight end, and among the stars who followed Gates’ path were Jimmy Graham and Julius Thomas.
Gates is one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, with 10,014 yards and 99 touchdowns. He’ll be eligible to return, and try to become the ninth player in league history with 100 receiving touchdowns, on Oct. 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
