Peyton Manning’s first year as quarterback of the Denver Broncos was a huge success. He brought the team to a Super Bowl appearance, guided a record-setting offense, and generally turned around the fortunes of Denver by taking them from a playoff team to a championship-caliber team in the course of a single season. Wes Welker was a key cog in that success, serving as Manning’s slot receiver and safety valve to the tune of 73 catches, 778 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Now, Denver will be without that cog. Wes Welker has been suspended four games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.
“I’m as shocked as everyone at todays news. I want to make one thing abundantly clear: I would NEVER knowingly take a substance to gain a competitive advantage in any way. Anyone who has ever played a down with me, lifted a weight with me, even eaten a meal with me, knows that I focus purely on what I put in my body and on the hard work I put in year round to perform at the highest levels year-in and year-out,” wrote Welker in an e-mail to The Denver Post. He added, “I have never been concerned with the leagues performance enhancing or drug abuse policies because under no scenario would they ever apply to me, but I now know, that (drug-policy procedures) are clearly flawed, and I will do everything in my power to ensure they are corrected, so other individuals and teams aren’t negatively affected so rashly like this.”
Welker failed his drug test after his appearance at the Kentucky Derby, and according to some reports, he failed a test for Adderall. Other reports have been suggesting that Welker took the party drug MDMA, or Molly. As for Welker, he maintains that he is drug-free and that, perhaps, someone put something in his drink at the Derby.
Image: USA Today
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