Buccaneers (for now) quarterback Josh Freeman has responded to the report regarding his status in Stage One of the league’s substance abuse program.
In a statement issued to PFT, Freeman explains that he has a prescription for Adderall, due to ADHD. Freeman says that, last year, he accidentally took Ritalin instead of Adderall, tested positive for Ritalin, and agreed to submit to unannounced and repeated testing, resulting in his placement in Stage One.
“I have agreed to take, and have PASSED 46 NFL-regulated drug tests over the last year and a half,” Freeman says.
Freeman explains that he has taken the tests at the team’s facility, which apparently raised suspicions from some regarding whether he has a drug problem. Coincidentally (or not), as the relationship between Freeman and the team has deteriorated, those suspicions have become rumors running rampant through the media.
“Unfortunately, it appears that some people who may have noticed the testing at my workplace have made hurtful and incorrect assumptions and chosen to disseminate inaccurate and very disturbing information,” Freeman says. “It is a shame that when times have gotten tough, people have chosen to attack the character of others, rather than supporting each other.”
Freeman doesn’t name names, but he’s necessarily referring to people in his workplace. Given his recent issues with his head coach and given that these rumors and reports have arisen in the wake of those issues, it’s not all that hard to connect dots back Greg Schiano or someone acting on his behalf.
Regardless, it’s becoming even more clear that the Buccaneers need to find a way out of this mess. The distraction is only getting bigger, and it’s the last thing Schiano needs as he tries to coach his way out of an 0-4 hole.