Pubdate: Tue, 17 Jul 2001
Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Copyright: 2001 San Jose Mercury News
Contact:  http://www.sjmercury.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390
Author: John Ryan

RISON VIOLATES DRUG POLICY, FACES SUSPENSION

As if Andre Rison's chances of returning to the Raiders weren't slim 
enough already, a report Monday night said the receiver could be 
suspended for up to four games next season for violating the NFL's 
drug-treatment program.

Rison's agent, Charles Tucker, told ESPN.com that the violation was a 
procedural matter involving aftercare from a first offense. It's 
unclear when Rison first violated the league's policy, as initial 
offenses are not punished or publicized. Players caught abusing 
alcohol or other drugs, including steroids, are subject to the 
guidelines.

``He missed a test and he didn't report to the league or some other 
authorities all the times that he was leaving town or traveling,'' 
Tucker told ESPN.com. ``The league people are very strict about these 
things, and so now `Dre' is facing maybe four games off once he signs 
with a team. He knows he owes the NFL some time now before he plays 
again.''

Rison, 34, joined the Raiders in August 2000 and finished as their 
second-leading receiver, with 41 catches for 606 yards and six 
touchdowns. He wanted to return to the Raiders and dismissed other 
teams' interest, until his hopes for another year in Oakland all but 
ended when the Raiders signed Jerry Rice in June.

Tucker acknowledged that teams have shied away from signing Rison 
because of the chance they could lose him for one-fourth of the 
season.
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