Veteran linebacker Thomas Davis insisted in a video posted to Twitter Friday that he did not intentionally cheat despite testing positive for a banned substance.
News came out that the Carolina Panthers leader was suspended four games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. He acted genuinely remorseful for the positive test and insisted he was not a cheater.
This is by far one of the saddest days of my NFL career. I never thought that this would happen to me. I’ve worked extremely hard to do things the right way on and off the field. Panther Nation please know that I am not a cheater. #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/zUppMfm6yk
— Thomas Davis (@ThomasDavisSDTM) April 6, 2018
“I was completely caught off-guard by this. I have never in any way done anything to intentionally cheat the game,” Davis said. “I’ve taken the same supplements for the last 7-8 years and never had any issues. Been tested numerous times while taking the same stuff.
“I’ve never tested positive for a steroid or HGH … it ended up being an estrogen blocker that triggered a positive test for me.
“In no way would I ever do anything to try and cheat this game or create a competitive advantage over anybody.”
Davis said his conscience was clear over the test and that he would serve his four-game suspension. The 35-year-old had 76 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 15 games last season. He planned on 2018 being his last season, but after the positive test, he said in the video that he is reconsidering that plan. It’s been a rough year for Davis, who also faced a label of being dirty for his hit against the Packers during the season.
