DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association, wants to talk with league officials about vacating recent suspensions handed down under the new substance-abuse policy. Smith made his intentions known Friday on a Washington radio station.
"We don't want players to suffer because the union and league couldn't get it done before the league year," Smith said during an interview on 106.7 The Fan.
Smith made his comments days after the NFL suspended wide receivers Josh Gordon [Cleveland Browns] and Wes Welker [Denver Broncos] for violating the policy. Gordon received a one-year ban after his latest positive test for marijuana; Welker will miss the first four games of the season after testing positive for amphetamines.
Smith argues that the league overstepped its authority by penalizing the players immediately after their arrests and before completion of the legal process.
The Broncos also have expressed disappointment with the NFL's penalty procedures. They state that the league failed to inform them of Welker's suspension suspended before cuts were made.
The NFL announced Welker's suspension Tuesday, the Broncos revealed their 53-man roster later that day. Welker was among the players remaining on the team.
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