Gates made the following statement about the suspension:
“In my 12 years in the NFL, I have taken tremendous pride in upholding the integrity of the NFL shield and all that it entails. I have taken extreme care of my body with a holistic approach and I have never knowingly ingested a substance that was banned by the NFL. In an effort to recover from this past season, I used supplements and holistic medicines, and unfortunately, I have now learned that those substances always present a risk because they may contain banned substances even if the ingredient list doesn’t reflect them. As an NFL veteran and team leader, I should have done my due diligence to ensure that what I was taking for recovery was within the NFL guidelines. I understand that I am responsible for what is in my body and I have always believed that ignorance is no excuse when it comes to these issues. I take full responsibility for my actions. I’d like to express my sincere apologies to the Chargers, my teammates, coaches, fans and the league who have always supported me and expected and gotten nothing but the highest level of integrity from me."
The suspension almost certainly will inhibit the Chargers' offense, as Gates has long been the favorite third down target of quarterback Philip Rivers.
The Chargers issued the following statement about the suspension:
“We are tremendously disappointed for our team and our fans as well as Antonio, but no more disappointed than Antonio is with himself. Antonio is a member of the Chargers’ family and we will continue to support him 100-percent. We have the utmost confidence he will stay in excellent shape for the season and be ready to go when he returns in Week 5. While it's unfortunate to not have him to start the season, we have complete confidence our tight end group will continue to play at a high level.”
Gates will be eligible to return to the Chargers’ active roster on Monday, October 5 following the team’s October 4 game against the Cleveland Browns.
Gates is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.
Gates was not the only NFL player to suffer a drug suspension today, as Datone Jones of the Green Bay Packers also was suspended without pay for the first game of the 2015 regular season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
Jones will be eligible to return to the Packers’ active roster on Monday, September 14 following the team’s September 13 game against the Chicago Bears.
Jones is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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