If fans of the Indianapolis Colts were unsatisfied with how their draft went this year, it’s not about to get any better for them.
On Friday May 16th, the NFL suspended LB Robert Mathis for 4 games for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy. Mathis, 33, has played his entire career with Indianapolis since being drafted in 2003. Last year, he had a career high 19.5 sacks, in addition to 44 tackles made.
Mathis’ suspension is terrible news for a team that ranked 26th in rush defense (2002 yards given up) in 2013. With Mathis suspended for four games, that flaw is even more glaring. Indianapolis must act fast or they themselves could be in a big hole to start 2014.
Mathis had attempted to appeal the positive test to Roger Goodell but was unsuccessful in doing so. It remains to be seen if he will attempt to appeal to an arbitrator.
Robert Mathis posted the following statement on his twitter (@RobertMathis98:
It is difficult for me to address the circumstances surrounding this suspension because they involve very personal medical information, but it is very important to me that my fans, particularly young people, understand what did and did not occur. Like many families, my wife and I faced fertility challenges, and I sought medical assistance. I specifically asked the doctor if the medication he prescribed for me would present a problem for NFL drug testing, and unfortunately, he incorrectly told me that it would not. I made the mistake of not calling the NFL or NFLPA to double check before I took the medication at the end of last season. The union has worked very closely with me to present all of the facts and medical records for consideration of discipline that does not include a suspension because of the unique facts of my case, but the Commissioner refused the request. I am deeply saddened that this situation will prevent me from contributing to my team for four games, and I regret that I didn’t cross check what my doctor told me before I took the medication. I hope that my fans will understand the unique circumstances involved here and continue to know that I am a man of integrity who would never intentionally circumvent the performance enhancing substance policy agreed to by the NFL and my union. The incredible blessing of this very upsetting situation is that, after I took the medication very briefly at the end of last season, we learned that my wife is expecting a baby. We are thrilled that we will be welcoming a new member in several months, but I apologize to my teammates, coaches and Colts fans that I will not be able to contribute to my team for the first four weeks of the 2014 season. I will work extremely hard during that time to stay in top football shape and will be prepared to contribute immediately upon my return.
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(Stats via espn.com)
