Tyler Sash Suspended For 4 Games By NFL
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Tyler Sash: “I have to own up to my mistake.”
Watch video of Sash addressing the media (source: ESPN)
New York Giants Safety and former Iowa Hawkeye, Tyler Sash has been suspended for 4 games for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy.
Sash tested positive for Adderall in March.
He says he didn’t know the drug was banned from the NFL, but will make sure he knows the rules from now on.
“I’ve got to handle my responsibility and be more informed next time,” Sash said.
Giants Head Coach, Tom Coughlin, spoke out defending his young defensive back.
“This kid really had no intention of doing anything illegal,” Coughlin said. “I know what the definition of the rule is and understand all about that and been there myself when you have had to ask yourself … sometimes you think maybe common sense needs to be involved in this. I feel bad for the kid.”
Sash’s case is very similar to teammate Andre Brown’s, who was also suspended four games for using Adderall.
Brown’s ruling was reversed by the league.
Sash appealed and lost but wouldn’t compare the two situations.
“I can’t comment on anything that happened with him because I don’t know all the ins and outs of his case compared to my case. I had a prescription but things happen,” Sash said. “I guess the league looked at my situation differently from Andre’s and now I’ve got to deal with this.”
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Original Post: Tyler Sash has been suspended for 4 games by the NFL.
New York Giants Safety Tyler Sash tested positive last March for Adderall, a medication primarily prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
According to NFL policies, Adderall is considered a performance-enhancing substance.
Sash disagrees with the NFL’s decision and says he’s “very disappointed with the NFL’s decision on suspending me 4 games.”
According to a statement on his Twitter account, he did not know the drug was banned from the NFL.
Here is his full statement:
“I took a prescription drug (Adderall) legally under a doctor’s care for an anxiety condition during the off season in March of this year. The purpose was to help me with public speaking appearances. I had no idea that this prescription drug was banned by NFL policy. Although I take full responsibility for this situation, I also want to state that I have never cheated or taken performance-enhancing drugs, and I frown on those who do. I am highly disappointed by the league’s decision in this matter, but I will continue to do my best on and off the field. From this point on, I will be more conscientious about every single thing I put in my body. Once again, I want to reiterate that I have never been and will never be associated in any way with performance-enhancing drugs. The timing of this positive test was March 2012, a time during which there is no physical performance required of me. I hope this explanation reinforces my innocence and shows that my intentions were pure.” – Tyler Sash’s Twitter, @TSash
In the spring, Giants running back Andre Brown was suspended for using Adderall, though the ruling was reversed when Brown won his appeal.
Sash isn’t as lucky as his teammate — his ruling isn’t being reversed and he has to sit on the bench until Monday, October 1.
He is still eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.
Sash’s agent, Jack Betcha, released this statement:
“I am extremely disappointed with the league’s ruling pertaining to Tyler Sash’s suspension for testing positive for Adderall. As the policy stands right now there is little or no latitude for the league to interpret special circumstances as there was in this case and apply common sense for the obvious pure intentions of Tyler’s need for medical care.”
“It is obvious from the timing of the positive test that Tyler’s intent was not to gain any advantage of performance enhancement as there are zero physical or competitive requirements of him for anything during the month of March. “Unfortunately, like many NFL players have experienced, the appeal process is usually an exercise in futility. After a passionate explanation during the appeal of the circumstances involved, the NFL ultimately denied the appeal.”
“This is a young man who has done everything right, and who had never failed a test for any illegal substance or performance enhancing substance in his career, including college. He has been a good citizen, a good teammate, and has never troubled anyone.”
“For players who came into the league in a lockout year and were rushed through the process of being prepared to play, in my eyes were at a distinct disadvantage to the educational process offered to rookies about the protocol for obtaining exemptions for specific prescriptions.”
