Three Denver Broncos, linebacker D.J. Williams, defensive tackle Ryan McBean and tight end Virgil Green, have been suspended for violating the NFL’s anti-doping policy, the league said on Friday.
McBean and Williams have been suspended without pay for the first six games of the 2012 regular season while Green will miss the team’s first four matches, also without pay.
Williams issued a statement denying wrongdoing: “I understand from media reports today that the NFL has announced a suspension based on a specimen that the NFL acknowledges did not contain steroids or any illegal substance.
“Instead, the NFL contends that I provided a non-human specimen. I have never failed a test of any kind — for steroids or illegal substances — during my eight-year pro career.
“We proved — conclusively — at the NFL hearing on this matter that the NFL and its specimen collector wholly failed in their duties to safeguard and process my specimen properly … We will be vigorously pursuing my rights in the judicial system.”
The Broncos said they were aware of the situation, but could not comment because of the league’s confidentiality rules.
The league did not give details on the alleged violations when announcing the suspensions.