TERRY GLENN BREAKS SILENCE

BOSTON -- Terry Glenn has reiterated that he did not deserve his four-game
suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

The New England Patriots' wide receiver, who has missed all of the
Patriots' training camp, was suspended for missing one of the drug tests he
is required to take three times a week.

But in an interview with the Boston Sunday Globe, Glenn said he had
informed officials at the substance abuse program that he would have to
miss the test because he was going out of town.

Glenn said he landed in the league's treatment program three years ago
after using marijuana.

"I made a mistake," he said. "I tried some marijuana. It was a mistake
because I don't do drugs. But I paid the price for that mistake. I'm not
blaming anyone but myself for that. I took the penalty, went into the
program, and did everything they wanted me to do."

Glenn said he informed his league medical adviser he was going to miss the
test because he was going to visit a friend who was participating in the
Texas Relays track meet.

"I told them where I was, so if they wanted to send someone to Texas to
test me, fine," he said. "I didn't receive a call-back from them until two
days later. And then I took the test and it was negative."

But the NFL drug policy considers a missed test the same as a failed test.

"I know it's not my fault," Glenn said. "Believe me, I understand the drug
policy. I've been living it for three years. Three times a week I get
tested. I missed one test and I was warned about it. So I'm aware of every
step I have to follow in this program."

The NFL has declined to comment on specifics of the Glenn case.

Glenn also said he wasn't served notice of his suspension until just
moments before he was supposed to file an appeal.

"When I heard the news ... it's something I never thought would happen to
me," said Glenn. "Football is my whole life. It means a lot more to me than
anyone else, because other players have something else ... I have nothing
else."

Glenn signed a six-year, $50 million contract extension last year that
included an $11.5 million signing bonus. In June, the Patriots withheld a
$1 million payment on the bonus until he worked out personal problems.

In May, he was charged with assault and battery at his home. The alleged
victim, the mother of his five-year-old son, has since recanted the
charges, but Norfolk County prosecutors are still pursuing the case.

The Patriots have the right to suspend him for the season because of the
number of days he's been away from camp without permission. The team has
not indicated if it will take that step.