Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon has been suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the 2013 season, according to reports, and may have cost himself a great deal of money in the process.
Blackmon, the fifth overall pick in last year's draft has violated the NFL's substance abuse policy, and in doing so will forfeit $289,754 for the four games he will be absent. He may also have voided nearly $11 million in guaranteed money on the remainder of his four-year, $18.512 million rookie contract. In addition to possibly voiding that money, the Jaguars could potentially go after prorated portions of his $7.1 million signing bonus as well as 2013 roster bonuses for the four games he will miss, which totals to $818,235.
The Jaguars have released a statement from Blackmon saying, "I've made a mistake and I have no excuse. I am truly sorry and disappointed in myself for putting the Jaguars in this situation, and I look forward to putting this behind me and maturing and growing as a person," Blackmon said in a statement issued by the Jaguars. "I will have a productive training camp and preseason with my team, and during the suspension I will work hard to stay in top football shape and be ready to help the Jaguars when I return. I have chosen to be accountable for my poor decision, and I sincerely apologize to my teammates, coaches, the front office and Jaguars fans for the impact of my mistake on the team."
This is the second time Blackmon has been in trouble with the league. Last year, two days after Jacksonville had wrapped up their OTAs, Blackmon was arrested and charged with aggravated DUI. He pled guilty to a lesser charge and was sentenced to a deferred one-year sentence that included no jail time if he paid a $500 fine, $100 to a drug abuse and treatment fund, and served 50 hours of community service. The DUI was Blackmon's second, the first of which occurred while he was still playing at Oklahoma State University.
In 2012, Blackmon led the Jaguars in receptions with 65, and was second on the team behind Cecil Shorts in receiving yards (865) and touchdowns (5).
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