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Evans on the offensive Suspended Titan prepares for NFL hearing
Posted: Tuesday May 09, 2000 06:27 PM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Josh Evans, who is fighting a season suspension for failing his third NFL drug test, said he owes his fans an explanation. "A lot of people out there are thinking I'm on cocaine and heroine and stuff like that, and I've never done drugs like that," he told The Tennessean of Nashville. He maintains his positive drug test in March was the result of prescribed medication -- in particular diet pills and supplements -- and he is appealing to the league to lift his suspension. "Going against the NFL is like going against the government. It's hard," he said Monday. "I hope for the best. ... But, I at least want to be heard." A hearing is set for May 31. If Evans' appeal is unsuccessful, the league will ban Evans from playing the upcoming season, the penalty for failing a drug test a third time. Evans, 27, missed the first four games of the 1999 season for violating the league's drug-abuse policy. Like the drug test in March, the league did not disclose what drug was found in Evans' system. After his four-game suspension, Evans admitted he had made a mistake and called his drug addiction a disease. He has since said he has conquered his addiction. When he returned to the team in October, he became a key player, starting 10 games with 54 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks. He started Tennessee's four playoff games, including the Super Bowl loss to St. Louis. His biggest play came in the AFC title game when he helped sack Jacksonville quarterback Mark Brunell for a safety. Evans said he has since assembled what he calls a dream team of attorneys and a toxicologist to persuade the league to lift his suspension. But even if Evans can prove it was a diet drug that showed up in his test, precedent suggests his suspension will stand. It is the responsibility of the players to check the drugs they are taking against a list of banned substances by the NFL. Evans sat out with an ankle injury as the team continued a second day of organized workouts Tuesday. He said he spends many sleepless nights wondering if he will play this season. "It's something I think about 24 hours a day," said Evans, who has played five seasons with the Titans. "It's not just affecting me, it's affecting my family and my kids."
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