Fred Davis blames suspension on unintentionally taking banned substance

Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis attributed his indefinite suspension for violating the NFL substance-abuse policy to unknowingly ingesting a banned substance.

Players are responsible for whatever they ingest into their bodies, though, under league rules.

Davis issued a statement explaining his situation through the NFL Players Association.

“?I would like to clarify the circumstances that resulted in my current suspension," Davis said. "In the past, I made the mistake of knowingly ingesting a banned substance. For over two years, I?ve worked very hard to eliminate marijuana from my life, and I have not had a positive test for it since 2011,” Davis said. “Unfortunately, a couple of months ago I took a supplement that contained a banned substance. I now know that supplements are not regulated by the FDA and may contain banned substances.

"The NFL Policy is strict, and not knowing that a supplement might contain a banned substance doesn?t excuse a violation of the policy. I?ve worked closely with the NFLPA and NFL to resolve this violation, and I will be permitted to apply for reinstatement in the fall. I look forward to staying in football shape, remaining in compliance with the NFL policy, and having a chance to get back on the field to contribute to a team?s success next season.?”

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun