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Broncos' Carter could be suspended
Posted: Sunday April 02, 2000 06:28 PM
DENVER (AP) -- Denver Broncos cornerback Dale Carter will be suspended for one year for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy if he loses an appeal, The Denver Post reported Sunday. The newspaper, citing unidentified NFL sources, said Carter violated the policy twice in the past three months and had two previous violations during his career. The appeal is expected to be heard in 10 days, the Post said. Carter's agent Mitch Frankel said his client did not fail any drug tests during the three-month period. "He is not up for suspension at this point for failing any drug test," Frankel said. If Carter, who signed with the Broncos as a free agent in 1999, is suspended, he could lose his job as well as the $3.5 million he is to be paid next season. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello would not comment on the report. An NFL official told the Post the team was notified of Carter's suspension in late February. Frankel said the Broncos never told him Carter was having problems. He said Carter had a difficult time adjusting to the Broncos, especially with their disappointing season. Some Broncos have criticized Carter for partying too much and having a bad temper. Carter, the 1992 defensive rookie of the year, has a reputation for excessively hard tackles. His hits sometimes connect with an opponent's knee, the back of the leg or the helmet, prompting accusations of cheap shots and headhunting. One source close to Carter told the newspaper the Broncos flew the cornerback's psychologist from Kansas City to Denver about two times a month last season. Another Broncos defensive back told the Post that Carter was consistently on Denver's party circuit, showing up tired for practice and sleeping through most meetings. After the Broncos lost 26-10 at Kansas City Sept. 19, Carter allegedly threw a party for teammates in a rented limousine before boarding the team bus. On Dec. 13, a Jacksonville team camera captured Carter spitting at Pro Bowl offensive tackle Tony Boselli. The NFL fined Carter. Less than two weeks later, Carter was with Darrius Johnson when the former Denver safety was arrested for allegedly slapping a dancer at a topless club. The NFL suspended Johnson for four games for violating its substance-abuse policy and Denver subsequently cut him. Before signing with Denver, Carter starred for seven seasons with Kansas City. While there, he was arrested and accused of driving under the influence, carrying a concealed weapon and assault.
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