The NFL has suspended Minnesota Vikings defensive end Spencer Nealy for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
The news of Nealy’s suspension was first reported by NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.
#Vikings DE Spencer Nealy is suspended the first 4 games of 2014 for violating @NFL policy on performance enhancing substances, source says
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 11, 2014
According to the Star Tribune, Nealy, 24, joined the Vikings for the final two weeks of the preseason last year, before he was cut. He then was on the team’s practice squad for six of the final seven weeks of the regular season.
Nealy didn’t deny the accusations, in fact he admitted to taking the substance. Here is a statement from him, released by the NFL Players Association on Nealy’s behalf.
Recently I learned from the NFL that I tested positive for a stimulant that is banned under the NFL policy. I worked with my agent and the union to investigate the test results, and I learned that a supplement I took contained a banned stimulant I understand the NFL policy is very strict, and I take responsibility.
WCCO reports that Nealy is still eligible to play in all preseason games and practice with the team.
Nealy also apologized to his teammates, the fans and the organization. He vowed to work very hard during training camp and during the suspension to remain in top shape.
Pro Football Talk reports the situation is very similar to that of Dolphins’ defensive end Dion Jordan. He was also suspended by the NFL for taking a banned stimulant.
In both cases the term “stimulant” replaced the recent explanations pointing to Adderall, which contains a banned stimulant. According to Pro Football Talk, while it’s entirely possibly that both players indeed only used a banned stimulant, there is no way to know because the NFL currently doesn’t have the ability to correct the record by disputing either player.
