CHARLOTTE – Linebacker Thomas Davis on Friday announced he recently learned he violated the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.
In a video posted to his Twitter account, Davis said:
"I was completely caught off guard by this. I've never in any way done anything to try to intentionally cheat the game.
"I've taken the same supplements for the last seven or eight years and never had any issues, been tested numerous times over the years while taking the same stuff. Unfortunately, this is some of the things that happen when you take supplements. I've never tested positive for steroids or HGH. This is not one of those situations. It ended up being an estrogen blocker that triggered a positive test for me."
The violation means Davis will miss the first four games of the 2018 season. It also creates a full-time opportunity for 2015 first-round linebacker Shaq Thompson, who was already expected to see a bigger timeshare of snaps with Davis. But, as the 14-year vet revealed at the end of Friday's video, "Who knows? Maybe this isn't my last year."
What we do know is the Panthers will be without their seven-time captain and all-time leading tackler for the first quarter of next season.
"I can honestly tell you guys that my conscience is clear in this situation," Davis said, "and as bad as it hurts me to sit here and tell you guys this, I know it's going to hurt a lot of people that have looked up (to) and believed in Thomas Davis over the years.
"Just know that in no way – in no way – have I done anything intentionally to try to cheat this game. I'm going to serve this four-game suspension, and I'll be back ready to go back out there with my teammates."
CHARLOTTE – Linebacker Thomas Davis on Friday announced he recently learned he violated the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.
In a video posted to his social media profiles, Davis said:
"I was completely caught off guard by this. I've never in way done anything to try to intentionally cheat the game.
"I've taken the same supplements for the last seven or eight years and never had any issues, been tested numerous times over the years while taking the same stuff. Unfortunately, this is some of the things that happen when you take supplements. I've never tested positive for steroids or HGH. This is not one of those situations. It ended up being an estrogen blocker that triggered a positive test for me."
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The violation means Davis will miss the first four games of the 2018 season. It also creates a full-time opportunity for 2015 first-round linebacker Shaq Thompson, who was already expected to see a bigger timeshare of snaps with Davis heading into his 14th season. But, as he revealed at the end of Friday's video, "Who knows? Maybe this isn't my last year."
What we do know is the Panthers will be without their seven-time captain and all-time leading tackler for the first quarter of next season.
"I can honestly tell you guys that my conscience is clear in this situation," Davis said, "and as bad as it hurts me to sit here and tell you guys this, I know it's going to hurt a lot of people that have looked up and believed in Thomas Davis over the years.
"Just know that in no way – in no way – have I done anything intentionally to try to cheat this game. I'm going to serve this four-game suspension, and I'll be back ready to go back out there with my teammates."
