Wes Welker: NFL drug policy ‘clearly flawed’
The Broncos receiver bit back against the NFL’s drug policy in a statement on Tuesday.
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY
Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker issued an official statement on Tuesday after news broke of his four-game suspension for violation of the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy. Adam Schefter broke the news of Welker's positive test results for the use of amphetamines, and the league subsequently issued a four-game suspension. Welker's appeal of the suspension has already been denied.
Mike Klis of the Denver Post had the full statement from Welker:
“I’m as shocked as everyone at todays news,” Welker said in an e-mail to The Denver Post. “I want to make one thing abundantly clear: I would NEVER knowingly take a substance to gain a competitive advantage in any way. Anyone who has ever played a down with me, lifted a weight with me, even eaten a meal with me, knows that I focus purely on what I put in my body and on the hard work I put in year round to perform at the highest levels year-in and year-out.
”I want any youth football players and all sports fans to know, there are NO shortcuts to success, and nothing but hard work and studying, leads to success.
”I have never been concerned with the leagues performance enhancing or drug abuse policies because under no scenario would they ever apply to me, but I now know, that (drug-policy procedures) are clearly flawed, and I will do everything in my power to ensure they are corrected, so other individuals and teams aren’t negatively affected so rashly like this.
”I have worked my whole life to be the best that I can be, and I have encountered many obstacles over my career, and THIS WILL BE NO DIFFERENT!
“Thank you for the outpouring of support, and I want Bronco nation to know, that no one and no thing will get in the way of our goal as a team, to bring Mr. Bowlen the trophy he and this great region deserve.”
Mile High Report
Welker will miss the first four games of the season for the Broncos, meaning he will miss games against the Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals. He is eligible to return to the Broncos on Oct. 6, the Monday following the Broncos' game in Week 4.
It’s uncertain whether or not Welker would have played in Week 1 anyway, given that he was returning to practice on Monday after suffering a concussion nine days prior.
Welker had 73 catches for 778 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2013.
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