Home Player Spotlight Steelers’ Bryant Facing Four-Game Suspension for Substance Abuse

Steelers’ Bryant Facing Four-Game Suspension for Substance Abuse

by Steeldad

ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news just a short time ago that Martavis Bryant of the Pittsburgh Steelers is appealing a four-game suspension for substance abuse. As I write this, the substance which was allegedly abused by Bryant is not known but if this is for marijuana use, it’s a bit much for the first offense.

Common sense may tell us that this was more likely PED use considering that Bryant packed on 20 lbs between the end of last season and the beginning of camp. Quite frankly, I really don’t care what Bryant abused and neither should you.

What you and I should be concerned about is the lack of common sense by Bryant. The Steelers knew when they drafted Bryant out of Clemson that there were already a few red flags behind him but they chose to believe they were in fact, behind him.

Obviously, Bryant wasn’t paying much attention to his teammates during his rookie campaign in 2014. All he had to do was look at the superstar running back in the backfield for all the motivation he needed to stay clean. Le’Veon Bell made a poor choice and every damn player on that team should have learned a lesson from it but somehow it went right over Bryant’s head.

The Steelers are now likely facing the prospect of having no Bell, no Maurkice Pouncey and no Martavis Bryant when they take the field in New England on opening night. What a positive message to the nation that will be with two of our star players both suspended for substance abuse.

Don’t be a bit surprised if Tom Brady is under center for the Pats either which will make Bryant’s pending suspension all the more stunning.

I wasn’t perfect when I was in my early 20’s either but I sure as hell knew the difference between right and wrong. Regardless of what Bryant is being suspended for he screwed up big time. While he may feel the punishment, his teammates will feel the affects of not having him on the field.

What a week in the Steeler Nation.

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4 comments

Ben Anderson August 27, 2015 - 7:53 pm

The substance abuse policy requires discretion. Multiple players have failed one test and are put into the program. Second positives result in suspension. We’ll know when the league or the Steelers announce the suspension for certain, but when Schefter announced it he specified substance abuse and not the league policy banning PEDs. My belief is that it’s probably marijuana.
Lastly, do you realize how easy it is for a 6’4″ 204 pound skinny 23 year old to put on 20 pounds over the course of 8 months? Do you realize how little that actually will be perceived as a size gain to the naked eye?

steeldad August 27, 2015 - 8:11 pm

For every kid that finds it easy to pack on 20lbs there’s one who struggles to do so. Regardless, until we know what the substance was there will be rampant speculation. If i recall, a PED offense is usually 6 games isn’t it? That makes me think weed which is actually worse. Shows just how dumb of a choice it was.

Ben Anderson August 27, 2015 - 8:33 pm

Just checked into the policy. This is Bryant’s 3rd positive. There were rumors that he had failed a test before the draft. Maybe they were true. Under the current CBA, and updated substance abuse policy as of 2014, a player goes into stage one of the substance abuse program when they fail one test. The second positive results in a fine. The third results in a suspension.

bob graff August 28, 2015 - 12:59 am

Maybe add on 2 more games and really help this young man with some intense counseling is in order. I’m serious this kid has tons of potential and if this is his third offense. Some genuine soul searching is in order. Or do we say he will get it and then see another Santonio Holmes. I for one really think stepping back and taking care of himself and learning how to be a responsible role model is what needs to be done.Come on get it right for once in the long term it’s the right thing to do. Tony Dungy and his great work would be in order, just my two cents.

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