Patriots star to claim NFL dropped the ball on drug test results - report
Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman is set to mount a vigorous defense of his suspension for performance enhancing drugs at his appeal hearing Monday.
Edelman was given a four-game suspension in early June by the NFL after he tested positive for PEDs a few months ago for a substance that “wasn’t immediately recognizable,” reported MMQB’s Albert Breer.
Edelman filed an appeal, which will be heard Monday, in which he reportedly will charge the NFL with mishandling his case. His defense will focus on two key points, reported ESPN.
The first is the issue first raised by MMQB that the substance he tested positive for was not recognizable.
Seems super weak for an NFL player to get suspended for an “unrecognizable” substance. I mean, isn’t ‘recognizing’ what substance testing is?—feel like that would be important. If the unrecognizable part means mo’ testing to figure it out, fine. But suspend before ya know…dumb.
— Matt Chatham (@chatham58) June 11, 2018
The other, sources told ESPN, centers around the mishandling of the documentation and delivery of Edelman’s test results.
Julian Edelman's appeal hearing re his suspension is today. Edelman will argue two main points (according to this article):
1. the drug he tested positive for wasn't on list of banned substances
2. the documentation/delivery of his results was mishandledhttps://t.co/0Hj4ax6gCa
— blake (@b1ake_hunter) June 25, 2018
Edelman has enlisted the services of attorney Alex Spiro, a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart and Sullivan in New York City.
Spiro served on the defense team of former Patriot Aaron Hernandez in his homicide case.
Julian Edelman’s appeal hearing for his four-game suspension is taking place today. Helping with his defense is an attorney with local connections who’s worked plenty of high-profile cases. https://t.co/d1aXt4Fn4H
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) June 25, 2018
Edelman missed the entire 2017 season with a torn ACL suffered during the preseason.
Edelman apologized to his fans, the organization and teammates after the suspension was announced via Instagram.
From Julian Edelman’s Instagram story. pic.twitter.com/VDCuqHf8r6
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 8, 2018
“I am very sorry — I don’t know what happened,” Edelman wrote. “I’ve taken many, many tests obviously over the course of my career, and nothing like this has ever happened. I apologize to the Kraft family, my coaches, teammates and fans. As this matter is being appealed, I can’t say anymore but not matter what, I will be ready to play and pursue another championship with our team and for Patriots fans around the world.”
If Edelman loses his appeal, it’s not clear what his next steps will be, but pursuing it in federal court is an option. Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott did so with his six-game suspension last season. His efforts allowed him to play for a good chunk of the Cowboys’ season before an appeals court denied Elliott’s motion for an injunction.
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