Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib has been suspended for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, according to a tweet from ESPN's Adam Schefter. He'll begin serving his suspension this week, as the Bucs take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Talib will not appeal the suspension, and admitted to using Adderall during training camp. He has already released a statement:
Buccaneers’ Aqib Talib suspended 4 games for using Adderall
Bucs CB Aqib Talib has been suspended four games for using adderall, which is banned by the NFL.
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“Around the beginning of training camp, I made a mistake by taking an Adderall pill without a prescription,” the statement read. “This is especially regrettable because, for the past several months, with Coach Schiano’s help, I’ve worked very hard to improve myself -- professionally and personally -- as a player and a man. I am truly sorry to my teammates, coaches and Buccaneers fans, and I’m disappointed in myself. I will work diligently every day of this suspension to stay in top football shape and be ready to help this team in the second half of the season. I have chosen to be immediately accountable for the situation I put myself in, which is why I will not exercise my appeal rights and will begin serving the suspension immediately.”
Talib was a first round pick in 2008 from the University of Kansas, but has been labelled for years as someone with “character issues.”
Talib has one interception this year, and 18 through his first four plus seasons in the NFL. His absence will be a problem for the Bucs pass defense, which is already last in the league, giving up over 345 yards per game in the air.
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