The NFL has suspended QB Mark Sanchez for the first four games of the 2018 for PED use.
When asked about the suspension Sanchez said he was "blind-sided" by the news. Per Bleacher Report:
"I want to say unequivocally that I have never cheated or attempted to gain a competitive advantage by using a banned performance enhancing substance. My test history and pharmacological science confirm I was not cheating and the positive test was the result of incidental and isolated exposure to a banned substance. I was tested by the NFL 30 days before and 12 days after my one positive test. Both tests bracketing the one positive test were clean."
Although the former Trojan says he didn't know he was taking any banned substances, he acknowledged the NFL's drug policy.
"Nevertheless, the NFL has an extremely comprehensive performance enhancing drug policy. Because of the policy's comprehensive and self-described 'strict liability' nature, players know that inadvertent exposure to a banned substance may lead to a positive test. The policy makes it each player's responsibility to avoid even the unwitting ingestion of a banned substance. I accept responsibility as a professional and will move forward with greater caution in the future. I look forward to getting back on the field this season."
Sanchez is currently unsigned after spending last season as the Chicago Bears #3 quarterback. The 31-year-old hasn't played since 2016 when he was with the Dallas Cowboys.
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