Linebacker D.J. Williams was one of a three-pack of Denver Broncos players suspended on Friday afternoon for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Williams just issued a statement vehemently denying the allegations and promising legal action against the NFL.
"I understand from media reports today that the NFL has announced a suspension based on a specimen that the NFL acknowledges did not contain steroids or any illegal substance," Williams says in a statement forwarded to PFT by his lawyer, Peter Ginsber. "Instead, the NFL contends that I provided a non-human specimen. I have never failed a test of any kind – for steroids or illegal substances – during my eight-year pro career. I am proud of my record and proud of the way in which I conduct myself as a professional athlete and citizen. We proved — conclusively — at the NFL hearing on this matter that the NFL and its specimen collector wholly failed in their duties to safeguard and process my specimen properly. In fact, the specimen collector was fired by the NFL after compromising my specimen as well as others’.
Williams' statement ends like this: "We will be vigorously pursuing my rights in the judicial system. My suspension is unjust; the NFL has undermined and corrupted its own steroid policy."
Williams and defensive tackle Ryan McBean are each facing a six-game suspension. Tight end Virgil Green has been suspended for four games.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report. Check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.