New England Patriots have suspended Rodney Harrison for the first four games of the National Football League’s regular season for violating the league policy on performance-enhancing substances.
The strong safety, Harrison solidified the Patriots defense through back-to-back Super Bowl victories and is one of the most high-profile players to be suspended under the N.F.L.’s drug policy. Last year, the Changers’ Shawne Merriman was also excluded on similar charges.
However, the NFL rules keep the substance involved confidential and mandate a four-game suspension for a first offense.
The veteran, Harrison entering his 14th NFL season, accepted responsibility for his actions and yielded to the federal investigators that he began using human growth hormone two years ago, to help recover from injuries sustained from playing football.
Harrison’s name was brought to the attention of federal and New York state investigators investigating an Internet pharmaceutical distribution ring for steroids and other performance enhancers.
Harrison also missed six regular season games and two playoff games for the Patriots last year due to injury. James Sanders, a three-year veteran and first-round pick Brandon Meriweather are candidates to fill the void.
Via: Washingtonpost
