Jets defensive end/linebacker Calvin Pace, one of the crown jewels of the team’s 2008 class of high-priced free agents, will be sitting out for the first four games of the 2009 season.
Pace has been suspended four games for violating the league’s policy regarding anabolic steroids and related substances.
Pace claims that he didn’t know he was violating the policy.
“This is a situation that resulted from an over-the-counter dietary supplement that contained a substance that I did not know violated the league’s policy,” Pace said in a team-issued statement. “I am responsible for what I put into my body and I should have paid closer attention to the league’s guidelines. I regret that this has happened and apologize to my teammates, the entire Jets organization as well as the fans. Hopefully, this does not distract from our ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl.”
(No, Calvin. Why would not having a defensive starter for the first four games of the season potentially impact its outcome?)
He’ll be permitted to participate in training camp and the preseason, and then he’ll be banned for the first month of the season.
Said the team: “We respect the League’s decision and look forward to Calvin’s return for our Monday Night game at Miami.”
The announcement means that all appeals have been exhausted and that, barring a Williams Wall-style legal challenge, he’ll be serving the suspension.
