News (Media Awareness Project) - US FL: Jaguars' Smith Has Positive Cocaine Test |
Title: | US FL: Jaguars' Smith Has Positive Cocaine Test |
Published On: | 2001-11-27 |
Source: | Los Angeles Times (CA) |
Fetched On: | 2008-08-31 11:55:55 |
JAGUARS' SMITH HAS POSITIVE COCAINE TEST
Jimmy Smith's heartwarming comeback story took a shocking turn Monday when
tests showed the Jacksonville Jaguar receiver had cocaine in his system.
The tests were done Nov. 11, after police arrested Smith on suspicion of
drunken driving. The four-time Pro Bowl receiver will not be prosecuted
because his blood-alcohol level was under the state legal limit of .08, and
because he was not in possession of cocaine at the time of the arrest.
NFL spokesman Dan Masonson said the league is reviewing the case to
determine whether Smith will be suspended for violating the league's
substance-abuse policy. The NFL also has a personal-conduct policy, but
most suspensions that fall under that umbrella have resulted from
successful prosecutions or guilty pleas. Smith vehemently denied taking
cocaine and said he was trying to figure out how the test could have come
back positive.
"I've never done it, don't do it and don't plan to do it," Smith said. "I
just hate for my name to be associated with anything like that, ever. Since
I've been here, I've been a good role model, and I will continue to be a
good role model. It's devastating to me and my family, but life goes on."
A toxicologist at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, where the
tests were done, said all drug tests are screened twice and mistakes are
"very rare."
Smith overcame three difficult abdominal operations in the off-season and
has 70 receptions this season, third-best in the AFC.
New England receiver Terry Glenn could be put on injured reserve if he
doesn't recover soon from a hamstring injury, meaning the end of his season
and perhaps the end of his Patriot career.
"I haven't reached [the decision] yet," Coach Bill Belichick said when
asked when he would decide if the roster spot would be better spent on
someone other than Glenn. "But as each day goes by, it gets a little bit
closer."
Glenn was suspended for the first four games this season for violating the
league's substance-abuse policy by missing an appointment for a drug test.
He returned against San Diego in the fifth week and made seven catches for
110 yards, but hasn't played since because of a hamstring injury.
Asked whether he wants to continue playing for the Patriots, Glenn made his
feelings clear: "I did. That's D-I-D."
Dallas Coach Dave Campo said rookie quarterback Quincy Carter will start
Sunday's game at Washington even though the opening-day starter has played
only five quarters because of injuries.
Ryan Leaf will be the backup after losing his three starts with Dallas.
Carter hasn't played since tearing his left hamstring Oct. 7 at Oakland.
Buffalo cut rookie kicker Jake Arians after he missed an important
point-after conversion in the Bills' 34-27 loss to Miami....Baltimore
running back Jason Brookins broke his right foot against Jacksonville and
could be lost for the season....San Francisco running back Kevan Barlow has
a dislocated shoulder that could keep him out of the 49ers' game against
Buffalo on Sunday night.
Jimmy Smith's heartwarming comeback story took a shocking turn Monday when
tests showed the Jacksonville Jaguar receiver had cocaine in his system.
The tests were done Nov. 11, after police arrested Smith on suspicion of
drunken driving. The four-time Pro Bowl receiver will not be prosecuted
because his blood-alcohol level was under the state legal limit of .08, and
because he was not in possession of cocaine at the time of the arrest.
NFL spokesman Dan Masonson said the league is reviewing the case to
determine whether Smith will be suspended for violating the league's
substance-abuse policy. The NFL also has a personal-conduct policy, but
most suspensions that fall under that umbrella have resulted from
successful prosecutions or guilty pleas. Smith vehemently denied taking
cocaine and said he was trying to figure out how the test could have come
back positive.
"I've never done it, don't do it and don't plan to do it," Smith said. "I
just hate for my name to be associated with anything like that, ever. Since
I've been here, I've been a good role model, and I will continue to be a
good role model. It's devastating to me and my family, but life goes on."
A toxicologist at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, where the
tests were done, said all drug tests are screened twice and mistakes are
"very rare."
Smith overcame three difficult abdominal operations in the off-season and
has 70 receptions this season, third-best in the AFC.
New England receiver Terry Glenn could be put on injured reserve if he
doesn't recover soon from a hamstring injury, meaning the end of his season
and perhaps the end of his Patriot career.
"I haven't reached [the decision] yet," Coach Bill Belichick said when
asked when he would decide if the roster spot would be better spent on
someone other than Glenn. "But as each day goes by, it gets a little bit
closer."
Glenn was suspended for the first four games this season for violating the
league's substance-abuse policy by missing an appointment for a drug test.
He returned against San Diego in the fifth week and made seven catches for
110 yards, but hasn't played since because of a hamstring injury.
Asked whether he wants to continue playing for the Patriots, Glenn made his
feelings clear: "I did. That's D-I-D."
Dallas Coach Dave Campo said rookie quarterback Quincy Carter will start
Sunday's game at Washington even though the opening-day starter has played
only five quarters because of injuries.
Ryan Leaf will be the backup after losing his three starts with Dallas.
Carter hasn't played since tearing his left hamstring Oct. 7 at Oakland.
Buffalo cut rookie kicker Jake Arians after he missed an important
point-after conversion in the Bills' 34-27 loss to Miami....Baltimore
running back Jason Brookins broke his right foot against Jacksonville and
could be lost for the season....San Francisco running back Kevan Barlow has
a dislocated shoulder that could keep him out of the 49ers' game against
Buffalo on Sunday night.
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