Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson has been suspended for five games by the NFL for buying and using performance-enhancing drugs.
The former NFL quarterback, 48, was also fined $100,000 US by the league, which learned of the violation as a result of the same Albany district attorney's office investigation that resulted in the suspension of New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison on Friday.
Wade Wilson was suspended by the NFL on Saturday for five games and fined $100,000 US for violating the league's drug policy.
(Getty Images)
Wilson received the suspension because the NFL's drug policy states that league employees possessing or using banned performance-enhancing substances are subject to discipline.
The 18-year player, who retired in 1999, claimed he took the unnamed substance in an effort to "improve the quality of my life" after living with diabetes for more than 20 years. Wilson also acknowledged that he took the substance without any supervision or advice from a medical professional.
"I accept responsibility for my mistake," Wilson said in a statement issued by the Cowboys. "Clearly, as a coach and former player, I had no intention of trying to circumvent the boundaries of competition or fair play.
"I now realize that this is something I should not have done. I acted without proper medical supervision and I would urge others not to make a similar mistake."
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stood by Wilson on Saturday, claiming that his coach had "absolutely no intention of breaking any league rules."
"He has a long track record of quality service to the NFL and community service to the cities where [he] has played and coached," Jones said. "We recognize and support the importance placed on these matters by the National Football League.
"We also support Wade Wilson during this time and look forward to his contributions to the future of the Dallas Cowboys."
Wilson is eligible to return to the sidelines on Oct. 9.
Investigation involves numerous athletes
Saturday's suspension is the latest result of an investigation that has centred on the activity of athletes from numerous sports in an Internet ring reported to involve performance enhancing drugs.
On Friday, Harrison was suspended without pay for the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL's policy on banned substances. The hard-hitting safety, 34, can return to the team on Oct. 2.
Also on Friday, World Wrestling Entertainment suspended 10 performers for ordering banned performance enhancers after receiving independent information from the Albany district attorney's office concerning the same investigation.
NFL spokesperson Greg Aiello also revealed that Pittsburgh Steelers team physician Dr. Richard Rydze, was also involved in the investigation. Rydze had earlier been fired by the team.
With files from the Associated Press
