ac-n-mike
Bench Warmer
Associated Press
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The NFL on Friday suspended New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league policy on performance enhancing substances.
Harrison spoke with reporters on a hastily announced conference call Friday evening, an hour before the league officially suspended him without pay.
Patriots safety Rodney Harrison has started just 13 games the past two seasons while struggling with a variety of injuries.
"Tomorrow, the commissioner will announce that I've been suspended," a somber Harrison said.
Although the hard-hitting safety said he has never used steroids, "I did admit to the commissioner that I did, in fact, use a banned substance."
"My purpose was never to gain a competitive edge," he added. "Rather, my use was to accelerate the process of recovering from injuries."
Harrison's suspension begins immediately. He is eligible to return to the Patriots' active roster on Oct. 2, following the team's Monday night game against Cincinnati.
Harrison did not disclose what banned substance he used, but ESPN.com reported that Harrison admitted to federal investigators that he obtained human growth hormone. Harrison did not take questions about the details of the suspension.
Harrison said he met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday. The league does not comment on suspensions for violation of its substance abuse policy.
Although the Patriots set up the conference call with Harrison, a spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the team.
Harrison's name came up in federal and New York state investigations into an Internet pharmaceutical distribution ring for steroids and other performance enhancers, ESPN reported.
However, Harrison said he "wanted to make it clear that I have never used steroids."
The Patriots will be without their Pro Bowl safety for one of their toughest and most crucial stretches of the season. New England opens up at the New York Jets, followed by home games vs. San Diego and Buffalo and at Cincinatti.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The NFL on Friday suspended New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league policy on performance enhancing substances.
Harrison spoke with reporters on a hastily announced conference call Friday evening, an hour before the league officially suspended him without pay.
Patriots safety Rodney Harrison has started just 13 games the past two seasons while struggling with a variety of injuries.
"Tomorrow, the commissioner will announce that I've been suspended," a somber Harrison said.
Although the hard-hitting safety said he has never used steroids, "I did admit to the commissioner that I did, in fact, use a banned substance."
"My purpose was never to gain a competitive edge," he added. "Rather, my use was to accelerate the process of recovering from injuries."
Harrison's suspension begins immediately. He is eligible to return to the Patriots' active roster on Oct. 2, following the team's Monday night game against Cincinnati.
Harrison did not disclose what banned substance he used, but ESPN.com reported that Harrison admitted to federal investigators that he obtained human growth hormone. Harrison did not take questions about the details of the suspension.
Harrison said he met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday. The league does not comment on suspensions for violation of its substance abuse policy.
Although the Patriots set up the conference call with Harrison, a spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the team.
Harrison's name came up in federal and New York state investigations into an Internet pharmaceutical distribution ring for steroids and other performance enhancers, ESPN reported.
However, Harrison said he "wanted to make it clear that I have never used steroids."
The Patriots will be without their Pro Bowl safety for one of their toughest and most crucial stretches of the season. New England opens up at the New York Jets, followed by home games vs. San Diego and Buffalo and at Cincinatti.
