Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib has been suspended four games for what he says was using the prescription drug Adderall without a prescription.
“Around the beginning of training camp, I made a mistake by taking an Adderall pill without a prescription,” Talib said in a statement released by the team. “This is especially regrettable because, for the past several months, with Coach Schiano’s help, I’ve worked very hard to improve myself — professionally and personally — as a player and a man. I am truly sorry to my teammates, coaches and Buccaneers fans, and I’m disappointed in myself. I will work diligently every day of this suspension to stay in top football shape and be ready to help this team in the second half of the season. I have chosen to be immediately accountable for the situation I put myself in, which is why I will not exercise my appeal rights and will begin serving the suspension immediately.”
As we’ve noted when other players have been suspended and blamed Adderall (which is a commonly used drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder but can also be used a performance-enhancer), it’s impossible to know whether anyone who blames Adderall is telling the truth. NFL rules require confidentiality on everything relating to drug test results, so when a player blames Adderall for his suspension, we have only his word to go on. The NFL has confirmed that Talib is suspended four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, but it has not said which banned substance he took.
The Bucs also released a statement from coach Greg Schiano, who blamed Talib for making a bad decision.
“We are disappointed to learn that Aqib Talib will be suspended for four games, which will begin with our game tomorrow against Kansas City,” Schiano said. “I have spoken with Aqib, and he knows that he made a poor decision that let our team down. Certainly, other players will have the opportunity to step up while he serves this suspension.”
Talib’s suspension begins immediately. He will be eligible to return to the Bucs on Monday, November 5, after the November 4 game against the Raiders.