Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon said Monday he doesn't have an alcohol or substance-abuse problem, adding that his issue is "making a poor decision," according to ESPN. Blackmon was suspended last month for the first four games of the 2013 season for violation of the league's substance-abuse policy.
"No, I would say I don't," he said, when asked if he thought he had a substance-abuse problem. "Out of this whole thing one of the main things I would say that I had a problem with was just making a poor decision, making a selfish decision at that and not thinking about the long term of it and just thinking about at the time. If you want to ask if I have a problem? I have a problem with making a poor decision."
Blackmon spoke publicly for the first time Monday since the suspension, apologizing to teammates and saying he's looking to "put it in the past." He declined to comment on whether he planned to enroll in a rehabilitation program.
Blackmon pleaded guilty last summer to aggravated DUI, which put him in the league's substance-abuse program. Although he declined to reveal what triggered his suspension, he may have failed a random test.
He said he'll lean on a support group that is led by Jaguars general manager David Caldwell and Gus Bradley, the first-year coach who has said he trust the receiver.
"[They] have been very supportive ever since they've been here," Blackmon said. "I've been going in and talking to them almost every day so having them there, having the teammates here that I have here have been very supportive here and it feels good to have people I can lean on and talk to."
Blackmon caught 64 passes for 865 yards and five touchdowns during his rookie season after being selected fifth overall out of Oklahoma State.
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