Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant is currently facing a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. According to that policy, which you read below, he must have been in Stage Two.
Below is what the policy says about disciplines for Stage Two violations.
First Violation: A Player in Stage Two who: fails to comply with his Treatment Plan or fails to cooperate with testing, treatment, evaluation or other requirements imposed on him by this Policy, both as determined by the Medical Director; or has a Positive Test Result for a substance other than marijuana will be subject to:
- A fine of four-seventeenths (4/17) of the Paragraph 5 amount in his NFL Player Contract if he successfully completed Stage One; or
- A suspension without pay of four (4) regular and/or postseason games (including the Pro Bowl, if selected) if he did not successfully complete Stage One.
Second Violation: A Player who has a second violation in Stage Two will be subject to:
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A suspension without pay of four (4) regular and/or postseason games (including the Pro Bowl, if selected) if he was previously fined for Stage Two noncompliance; or
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A suspension without pay of six (6) regular and/or postseason games (including the Pro Bowl, if selected) if he was previously suspended for Stage Two noncompliance; and
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Advancement to Stage Three.
Next is the Discipline Schedule for Positive Tests
The following will illustrate the applicable level of discipline to be imposed for violations as set forth in Sections 1.5.2 and 1.5.3 of the Policy:
Discipline for violation following entry into Stage Two:
Positive Test for marijuana – 2-week fine
Any other Positive Test – 4-week fine
Discipline for violation following imposition of a 2-week fine:
Any Positive Test – 4-week fine
Discipline for violation following imposition of a 4-week fine:
Any Positive Test – 4-game suspension
Discipline for violation following imposition of a 4-game suspension:
Positive Test for marijuana – 10-game suspension
Any other Positive Test – banishment
Discipline for violation following imposition of a 10-game suspension:
Any Positive Test – banishment
Bryant is currently appealing and his fate should be known very soon.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE POLICY AND PROGRAM ON SUBSTANCES OF ABUSE 2014 by Steelers Depot
