Antonio Gates Suspended 4 Games for PED Use
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Veteran San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has been suspended by the league front office for violating the NFL Policy and Program for performance-enhancing substances, according to a release by the team this afternoon.
In the press statement, the Chargers expressed their disappointment and emphasized their “100 percent” support for Gates as a member of the Chargers’ family.
Gates, for his part, also released a statement to clarify how or why he ended up violating the league’s policy:
“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 I have never knowingly ingested a substance that was banned by the NFL.
I understand that I am responsible for what is in my body and I have always believed that ignorance is no excuse when it comes to these issues. I take full responsibility for my actions.”
The suspension will not prevent Gates from participating in training camp and all preseason games, and will take effect with the Chargers’ season opener against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 13th. Following that game, the Chargers will take on the Cincinnati Bengals, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Cleveland Browns.
Gates will be eligible to return for the October 12th Monday Night Football game, a home tilt against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 35-year old Gates continued to be an integral part of the Chargers’ offense last season, pulling in 69 catches with 12 touchdowns. In his absence, fourth-year pro (and heir apparent to Antonio Gates) Ladarius Green will be counted on to fill the void. Highly touted for his athleticism, Green has yet to really shine in the spotlight, and Antonio Gates’ enforced absence may represent his best opportunity to prove his worth to the team.
Gates’ blocking ability is another undervalued aspect of his game, and might hamper the integration of rookie running back Melvin Gordon into head coach Mike McCoy‘s offensive game plan for the first quarter of the upcoming season.