Tom Brady isn’t the only player that will be sitting out four games this season. Antonio Gates of the San Diego Chargers has received a four game suspension as well. Earlier this month, the TE had a substance in his body that yielded a positive test result for performance enhancements.
Maintaining that he did not knowingly ingest a substance that boosts testosterone levels, Gates stated, “… I’m not really sure quite how it got into my system particularly, but it was in there …I’ve been doing the same things over and over in terms of after the season, just taking care of my body. I’m very intuitive in terms of what my body needs to come out and perform every single year. It’s something where it showed up in a test. I’ve taken multiple tests since then, and it didn’t show up. I’ve taken multiple tests before then, and it didn’t show up.”
The top ranked, eight-time pro bowler will be missing the first quarter of the season. This is the first time in Gates career this has occurred. After an unsuccessful appeal, he has accepted the ruling. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t happy with it. But it’s the way it is. It’s the rules. I’ve got to deal with it.” Gates is still allowed to play in the preseason and participate in training camp. He will return to the game he loves in week five (October 12) when the Chargers take on the Steelers for Monday Night Football.
Gates plans on using this situation as a learning lesson for not only himself, but his children and teammates as well. In a statement of responsibility, Gates expresses, “Knowingly, or not knowingly, you just can’t do it…You can’t have it in your system…I’m just ready to play football.”
Gates ranks fourth in receptions and yards for his position; second is touchdowns. The Chargers organization will definitely have a void to fill in those four games. The organization is considering Ladarius Green, a 6’6 display of athleticism and physical prowess to fill in for Gates.
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-Niko Rose
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