INDIANAPOLIS -- NFL sacks champion Robert Mathis admits he made a mistake late last season.
Alex Killorn Lightning Jersey Authentic . Now its going to cost him -- four games and four paychecks. The Colts career sacks
leader was suspended Friday by the NFL after violating the leagues ban on
performance-enhancing substances. What exactly Mathis tested positive for
remains a mystery but the linebacker said in a statement he was seeking
fertility assistance. He acknowledged that he and his wife are expecting a baby.
"I am deeply saddened that this situation will prevent me from contributing to
my team for four games, and I regret that I didnt cross check what my doctor
told me before I took the medication, " Mathis said. "I hope that my fans will
understand the unique circumstances involved here and continue to know that I am
a man of integrity who would never intentionally circumvent the performance
enhancing substance policy agreed to by the NFL and my union." Mathis said
Commissioner Roger Goodell denied Mathis request to not issue a suspension based
on the circumstances. The league issued a statement Friday night about the case:
"As Mr. Mathiss agent acknowledged today, his client failed to follow the
protocols in the policy that the NFL and NFLPA agreed upon to address precisely
these kinds of claims," the NFL said. "That policy also prescribes the
disciplinary consequences of a positive test. The policy does not provide - nor
should it provide - for the commissioner to override the policys procedures and
assess discipline on an after-the-fact, ad hoc basis. Here Mr. Mathis actually
withdrew his appeal and accepted discipline at the unions suggestion. His
hearing took place only after the Players Association requested that the appeal
be reinstated. "The drug for which Mr. Mathis tested positive is not approved by
the FDA for fertility in males and is a performance-enhancing drug that has been
prohibited for years. Importantly, Mr. Mathis did not consult with the policys
independent administrator, a physician jointly approved by the NFL and NFL
Players Association. Nor did he consult with his team doctor, the teams training
staff, the NFLPA, the league office or the hotline established under the policy
to give confidential information to players. Each of these sources would have
warned against using this substance. "A cornerstone of the program is that a
player is responsible for what is in his body. Consistent application of the
policys procedures is critical to the integrity of the program." If the NFLs
decision stands, and they almost always do, Mathis would not be eligible to
rejoin the Colts until Sept. 29. He is allowed to participate in the teams
off-season workouts, training camp and preseason games. The Colts quickly issued
a statement saying they would support Mathis, one of the teams elder statesmen
and most respected leaders. Mathis set a single-season record with 19 1/2 sacks
last season and also broke Dwight Freeneys franchise career record for sacks. In
11 NFL seasons, Mathis has 111 career sacks. "We nevertheless wish to assure
Robert and our fans that he remains an honoured and cherished member of the
Colts family and that we support him as he deals with this difficult challenge,"
Mathis said. Its another black eye for a franchise whose owner, Jim Irsay, was
arrested near his suburban Indy home in March and preliminarily charged with
four felony counts of possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanour
driving while intoxicated charge. Irsay sought medical help two days later and
did not return to the team until last weekends draft. Irsay has not spoken
publicly about what happened. Mathis was considered an undersized defensive end
when the Colts took him in the fifth round of the 2003 draft. It didnt take
long, though, for Mathis and Freeney to form one of the NFLs most feared
pass-rushing combinations. With Mathis developing his own spin moves to match
Freeney, and Freeney developing his own tomahawks chop, imitating Mathis, the
two close friends not only put quarterbacks on the ground, they forced fumbles
at the leagues highest rate, too. Both emerged as perennial Pro Bowlers, but
when they were asked to move to linebacker in new coach Chuck Paganos 3-4
defence, Mathis thrived and Freeney struggled. When the Colts announced last
year that they would not re-sign Freeney, many thought Mathis would struggle.
Instead, he had the best season of his career and became the first winner of the
Deacon Jones Award. Defending that title might be next to impossible in 2014 --
unless he wins an appeal. "We are thrilled that we will be welcoming a new
(family) member in several months, but I apologize to my teammates, coaches and
Colts fans that I will not be able to contribute to my team for the first four
weeks of the 2014 season," Mathis said. "I will work extremely hard during that
time to stay in top football shape and will be prepared to contribute
immediately upon my return."
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world No. WASHINGTON -- After Jordan Zimmermann put the Washington Nationals in
position to win on the mound, Denard Spans legs and Ryan Zimmermans bat made
sure they beat the Chicago Cubs. Zimmermans eighth inning single drove in Span
for the go-ahead run as the surging Nationals capped a strong weekend with a 2-1
win over the Cubs on Sunday. The expected pitchers duel took place as Zimmermann
outdueled Jake Arrieta over six innings and left with a 1-0 lead. "The starter
for them today was as advertised, tough," Zimmerman said of Arrieta. "The way
Jordan pitched, that was a game we needed to win." The Cubs tied it in the
seventh on Starlin Castros sacrifice fly against Drew Storen. Spans hustle
turned a soft hit to right field off Pedro Strop (1-4) into a double leading off
the eighth. The Cubs challenged the play, but replay showed that the sliding
Span avoided the tag. "The fact that he broke out of the box hard and thought
two (bases) from the beginning of it was key for us," Nationals manager Matt
Williams said. Two outs later, the Cubs intentionally walked Adam LaRoche to
bring up Zimmerman, who ripped a single to left to score Span from second.
Tyler Clippard (6-2) worked out of trouble in the eighth inning. Rafael Soriano
pitched the ninth and earned his 21st save for the Nationals, who have won seven
of eight. Washington moved within one-half game of NL East-leading Atlanta. The
Nationals took two of three games in the series, including 13-0 on Saturday to
break Chicagos four-game winning streak. Zimmermann allowed seven hits with one
walk and struck out five. He has given up two earned runs or fewer in seven
straight starts. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 1.26 ERA in that span. "I think
he found his slider," Williams said. "Gives him another weapon." The Cubs had at
least one hit in each of the first six innings, but couldnt generate a clutch
one versus Zimmermann. Chicago left 12 runners on base and went 1 for 9 with
runners in scoring position. "I fell behind hitters and wasnt able to throw
first-pitch strikes,"; Zimmermann said.
Ryan Callahan Lightning Jersey. "Guys got on base, and I had to work out of a few jams. Other than that I threw the ball
well." Following this weekends blockbuster trade that sent starters
Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the Oakland As, Arrieta inherited the No. 1
role in the Cubs rotation. He has pitched to that level lately. The righty won
his four previous starts and flirted with no-hitters in his last two. Arrieta
carried a perfect game into the seventh inning on June 24 against Cincinnati and
went 7 2-3 innings without allowing a hit at Boston on June 30. Washington ended
such hopes immediately. Span hit a fly ball that sailed over the outfielders for
a double leading off the first. One out later he scored on Jayson Werths
groundout for a 1-0 lead. Arrieta allowed four hits and one run over six innings
with three walks and five strikeouts. He gave up two singles to open the fifth,
but escaped the jam. Zimmermann struck out while attempting to bunt the runner
over. "It was a dogfight," Arrieta said. "I really had to grind it out there. I
had guys on base. I had to make pitches in big situations. I was able to do
that." Storen entered having allowed only three earned runs this season and only
one in 17 appearances since May 17. The Cubs threatened in the eighth, putting
runners at second and third with one out against Clippard, but didnt score.
Pinch-hitter Wellington Castillo struck out looking, and Ryan Sweeney grounded
out. Justin Ruggiano, Anthony Rizzo, and John Baker all had two hits for the
Cubs. NOTES: The Cubs recalled RHP Blake Parker from Triple-A Iowa before the
game. Parker takes the roster spot created by the trade with Oakland. ...
Chicago hasnt announced who will replace Samardzija and Hammel when their
rotation spots come up Wednesday and Thursday. Edwin Jackson (5-8, 4.99) will
open the five-game series at Cincinnati on Monday against fellow RHP Mike Leake
(6-7, 3.47). ... Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg (7-6, 3.53) will face RHP
Chris Tillman (7-4, 4.21) on Monday when Baltimore visits Washington.
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