Browner turns down reduced suspension, claims collector blundered
According to a report from
, Seattle Seahawks’ cornerback Brandon Browner has turned down an offer from the NFL to reduce his proposed 1-year suspension by three months.
From the Garafolo report:
"The sources said the NFL offered Browner the chance to accept his suspension now, sit out the rest of this season, remain suspended through the offseason and be eligible for reinstatement at the start of next October, when the 2014 regular season is still in its first few weeks. That would have allowed Browner to return to action well before December, which is how long he’ll sit out if he loses his appeal in the coming weeks."
As has been reported by several outlets, including the Seattle Times, Browner contests that he shouldn’t be considered a Stage 3 offender under the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
"At issue is a series of drug tests Browner missed in 2006 and 2007 when he was out of the league, and after he had had a previous violation while with the Denver Broncos. [Seattle Times]"
Browner is also claiming that the urine collector “used a damaged cup and then poured his urine from that cup into another one”, although the collector will not have to testify at his appeals hearing, according to the Fox Sports report.
Browner has been ruled out for the Seattle Seahawks game against NFC West rival San Francisco on Sunday with an injured groin.