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Not so fast League turns down Carter's petition for reinstatement
Updated: Thursday August 09, 2001 10:14 PM
GREELEY, Colo. (AP) -- Four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Dale Carter has been denied reinstatement following a yearlong suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The decision means Carter is suspended indefinitely. "He can apply for reinstatement at any time that he believes is justified," league spokesman Greg Aiello said Thursday. "It would be reviewed again by the doctors." Aiello did not say why Carter's petition was denied. Agent Mitch Frankel did not return a telephone call. Carter, who signed a four-year, $22.8 million contract with the Denver Broncos before the 1999 season, was suspended last April after missing two drug tests.
The NFL counts a missed test as a failed test, and because Carter was a two-time offender of the league's substance abuse policy, he was suspended for one year. "They just tell us if somebody's reinstated or not," Denver head coach Mike Shanahan said Thursday. "That's about it. They don't give you the specifics." The suspension has salary cap implications for the Broncos even though they do not plan on keeping Carter even if he is reinstated. Carter's $3.5 million in base salary will not count against the cap until he is reinstated, but Denver is still responsible for $1.3 million of his prorated $7.8 million signing bonus. The Broncos are seeking to recoup half of the signing bonus under a provision in Carter's contract. They would be credited $3.9 million under the salary cap if successful -- but only if Carter can pay back the money. Before signing with the Broncos, Carter established himself as one of the NFL's top cornerbacks during seven seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. He has 23 career interceptions in 118 games. Carter's lone season in Denver was a debacle. Following a home loss that dropped the Broncos to 0-4 in 1999, he was hit in the eye by an object thrown from the stands. In that game, Carter had been flagged for two interference penalties and was beaten for a touchdown. Later in the season, a videotape showed Carter spitting in the direction of Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Tony Boselli. No disciplinary action was taken.
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