Matt Prater Suspended For Four Games

Denver Bronco’s kicker Matt Prater has been suspended for the first four games of the season after he violated the NFL’s substance-abuse program. According to Prater’s lawyer Harvey ...
Matt Prater Suspended For Four Games
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  • Denver Bronco’s kicker Matt Prater has been suspended for the first four games of the season after he violated the NFL’s substance-abuse program.

    According to Prater’s lawyer Harvey Steinberg, Prater was first enrolled in the program after he was arrested for drunk driving in August 2011.

    Although Prater wasn’t suspended for his DUI, the incident left him open for random alcohol tests. Prater recently tested positive for alcohol, however Steinberg said he was simply having a few drinks at home while he was on vacation, and it shouldn’t violate the policy.

    “This guy was off probation. There’s no allegation that he used PEDs or illegal drugs,” Steinberg said. “He was on vacation, had three beers three years after a DUI. Come on, give me break.”

    Steinberg did acknowledge that he and Prater had been treated very well, under the circumstances. “Having said that, the NFL under the constraints of the policy couldn’t have treated us better,” Steinberg added.

    Although it is frustrating that Matt will be sitting on the bench during the opening games, his punishment could have been a lot worse. Prater was originally looking at a year-long suspension, but Steinberg was able to get his time reduced to only four games.

    Prater does not plan on appealing the punishment, and is taking full responsibility for his actions. “I’ve made some mistakes,” Prater said. “I’m accepting full responsibility. I’ll learn from it and come back a better person. I want to apologize to my teammates, my coaches, the Broncos’ organization and the fans.”

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