Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan has officially been suspended for the first four games of the 2019 season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, according to a team announcement. Lewan was first hit with the ban late last month and the official denial of his appeal means that he will be out for the first four games of the season. 
Lewan vehemently denied the use of PEDs and even said that he took a polygraph test to prove his innocence. Unfortunately for him, that wasn’t enough to sway those in charge.
“It’s a really horrible situation to feel like this, and to walk into the locker room and tell those guys you’re not going to be with them for four games – it breaks my heart,” Lewan said last month. “It’s tough, man. But I’ve been very candid with [GM] Jon (Robinson) and [head coach] (Mike) Vrabel and [owner] Amy (Adams Strunk) and told them right away. I don’t want the legacy, or whatever I have done in the last five years, to be tarnished because of this, because of something like this, that was a complete accident that I’m going to try and make up for.”
According to the league, Lewan popped positive for ostarine, which is used to combat muscle wasting. Lewan, meanwhile, says he didn’t “knowingly” take anything to skirt the rules.
Lewan will be eligible to play for the first time in 2019 on October 6 vs. the Bills.
Has the NFL ever overturned a drug suspension? I really do not recall one they even upheld the suspension of golden Tate who tested positive due to a substance that was in a fertility drug that he immediately found out about and informed the league as well as his organization and coaching staff. It seems like even if the league realizes they are wrong with a drug suspension they will never all up to it.
No they have a zero tolerance policy
I generally think they have a zero tolerance rule, which is the only way to go.
That being said I think they’ve granted permission for some to use certain drugs that would normally be banned while they weren’t playing and going through treatment for things like cancer or something to that effect. Also the only way to go.
Yes they overturned Richard Sherman’s when he said his cup cracked and was mixed with another guys urine. He tested clean after that and all tests.
They give waivers for multiple drugs the biggest beginning riddilan. They have to have a prescription and get pre approved to take it.
Seattle had a guy forget his name was an OG that had the approval and didn’t renew it the next year. He got suspended. He was cut after that and the report of him being changed twice with urinating at Bellevue Square Shopping Mall. Bellevue is a bit snooty. He went to Denver I think and just walked out of practice. He was arrested living in his car and selling drugs. He was not a bright guy. Seems he needed something to calm him way down.
I have a hard time believing that any player on a NFL (or other pro league) team can’t get his teams doctors to sign off on a drug or medicine prior to using it. Just a copout excuse so fans feel bad for them.
Key here is he said he didn’t take anything “knowingly”. However, the rule doesn’t care. You need to know what you are ingesting period. It’s just like everyday laws. Ignorance is no excuse.
I’m going to try that next time. “I didn’t know there was a speed trap there, officer. I shouldn’t get a ticket.”. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Yea, keep taking those supplements made in China!