Orlando Scandrick’s agent blames lack of HGH testing for suspension

The NFL and Dallas Cowboys announced on Monday night that cornerback Orlando Scandrick would be suspended for the first four games of the 2014-15 regular season for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

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Scandrick released a statement on the failed drug test to apologize for letting those around him down, and his agent, Ron Slavin, also released a statement blaming the lack of HGH testing by the NFL for Scandrick’s four-game suspension that will begin in Week 1.

According to Slavin, if the NFL and NFLPA would have reached an agreement on HGH testing, Scandrick would not have been suspended for the banned substance that he took.

If the NFL and NFLPA would have reached an agreement, the substance that Scandrick took would have violated the substance-abuse policy, so no automatic suspension would have been handed down by the league.

“I do not excuse Orlando having tested positive for a banned stimulant,” Slavin said, via Pro Football Talk.  “The current rules are what they are, and a player is responsible for what is in his body.  However, I would like it known that it is my understanding that if the current proposed agreement related to HGH testing would have already been instituted, a very significant percentage of the players receiving ‘PED’ suspensions since the new CBA took effect would not have been suspended.  Instead, these players, under the proposed new policy, would have been subjected to the Substance Abuse Policy and Program. 

“More than 80 missed games, millions of dollars in fines and bonus repayments have been issued because the NFLPA and NFL cannot come to an agreement.  The only people who are losing in this standoff are the players and fans.”

While Slavin may have a great point, the fact remains that Scandrick put a banned substance in his body and he is ultimately responsible for the suspension.

It will be interesting to see whether or not Scandrick and Slavin publicly state what banned substance the Cowboys cornerback put in his body when he was in Mexico.