More bad news for Patriots standout Rob Ninkovich as he has been suspended four games for a violation of the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com writes. 
“Few things are more important to me than my name and reputation. This might call that into question for some, which has me heartbroken,” the linebacker/defensive end told Reiss. “I don’t want to cut any corners. I want to do things the right way, with high integrity, and that’s what I have always wanted to stand for.”
Ninkovich was already slated to miss several weeks to start the season after suffering a torn triceps injury. Because of that, he is not necessarily missing any additional time. He will, however, be docked roughly 25% of his base salary.
The 32-year-old insists that he would never knowingly take an illegal substance. It is not immediately clear whether he plans to appeal.
“Any supplement I’ve ever used was bought at a store. I was unaware something I bought had a substance in it that would give me a positive test because it wasn’t listed [as an ingredient],” he told ESPN.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
More stupidity with substance……
How can these professional players not b aware of what is and isn’t a banned substance. Or they just don’t think they will get caught cause these r grown men so claiming ignorance just doesn’t work for me.