"The NFL informed Henry in September he had failed a test for marijuana. He disputed the results and sued the NFL to avoid a suspension. He contended the league violated its substance abuse policy by not allowing an expert of Henry's choosing to be present for the testing."
Leon Lett Chicago Tribune, September 1999: "Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl defensive tackle Leon Lett was suspended for eight games by Commissioner Paul Tagliabue for violating the National Football League's substance abuse policy a fifth time."Lett, 30, who has been suspended since June 4 after failing a drug test, is eligible to rejoin the team Nov. 9 and play in the Nov. 14 home game against the Green Bay Packers if he complies with his treatment plan."
Continue to keep counting down our list of the top ten NFL players suspended for substance abuse -- before Von Miller. LenDale White: SB Nation, July 2010: "Per Jason La Canfora of the league-owned TV network, the NFL has suspended LenDale White for violating the league's substance abuse policy."The suspension shouldn't come as a surprise. La Canfora reported last month that a four-game suspension was likely to happen because of reported marijuana use."
Bam Morris: Associated Press, July 1996: "Bam Morris, released by the Pittsburgh Steelers last week after pleading guilty to marijuana possession, has been suspended for four games by the NFL."In a letter to the running back, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue cited his conduct 'as a threat to public support of the league not only among parents and their children, who may view NFL players as role models, but also among the millions who find it difficult to tolerate, or indeed to root for, athletes who engage in such unlawful activity.'"
Continue to keep counting down our list of the top ten NFL players suspended for substance abuse -- before Von Miller. Koren Robinson: Seattle Times, December 2004: "Regretful Koren Robinson called his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy -- which followed a one-game suspension for violating team rules -- 'a learning experience....'"Robinson started practice yesterday by slapping hands with everyone on offense before his first play back from what was reported on some Internet sites to be a suspension for using marijuana. That's what he missed the most these last five weeks. Being in the huddle. Being with his team."
Jerome Simpson: ESPN, June 2012: "The NFL has suspended Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson for the first three games of the 2012 season, punishing him for a felony drug conviction tied to a marijuana shipment to his home last fall."Simpson was suspended for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He was also fined one game check, the league announced Monday, meaning he must forfeit nearly one-fourth of his $800,000 salary this year including the three weeks he won't be paid while being barred from team activities and facilities."
Continue to keep counting down our list of the top ten NFL players suspended for substance abuse -- before Von Miller. Jamal Lewis: ESPN, August 2004: "Lewis was suspended in 2001 for violation of the league's substance abuse policy. (The details of Lewis's two positive tests weren't released by the league, so we can't be absolutely certain about his substance of choice.) But that -- and his current federal indictment in relation to a drug ring -- are enough to put Lewis in our backfield with Williams. It's a backfield that any coach would want to have between the hashish...er, hashes." Onterio Smith: ESPN, June 2005: "The NFL announced Tuesday that troubled Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith has been suspended for the entire 2005 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy...."Smith was stopped April 21 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport after his bag set off a screening device. A search found several vials of dried urine and 'The Original Whizzinator,' which is marketed as a way to beat drug tests....
"He was also kicked out of the University of Tennessee after testing positive for marijuana in 2000."
More from our Denver Blogs archive: "Von Miller's drug test failed because of marijuana and Molly?"
