Free agent defensive end Dion Jordan has violated the NFL’s substance abuse policy on numerous occasions, but he insists he is a changed man who is worthy of another chance in the league.
Jordan told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that he learned on Tuesday that his appeal of a 10-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy has been denied. While the NFL does not reveal the substance that triggers positive tests, Jordan admitted that his latest suspension stems from Adderall use. He had been approved to take the medication in the past to treat ADHD, but his therapeutic use exemption expired.
“I made a mistake,” Jordan said. “I feel like the person that I am, I’m ready to move forward, I’ve been ready to move forward, with this specific issue. I’ve been working really hard with myself outside of football, and I can see the progress as a young man, as Dion Jordan, I can see it.
Jordan, a former No. 3 overall pick, said he was dealing with several stressors outside of football toward the end of the season with the Seattle Seahawks last year, which included the passing of his grandmother and some personal issues his sister was having. He insists he is past all of that now and completely changed.
“My whole lifestyle — it’s been a 180-degree change,” Jordan told Pelissero. “I f—ed up, man. I can’t fix this s—. It is what it is. But I know what I can’t do and what not to do compared to the mistakes I’ve made in the past.”
The odds are stacked against Jordan in free agency with the latest 10-game suspension. He was suspended for a full season in 2015 over a dilute sample, and he has some injury concerns in addition to the multiple drug violations. While he claims all of that — including the injuries — is cleared up, there may not be a big market for a 29-year-old player who is likely going to be out for more than half of the upcoming season.
