San Diego Chargers Tight End Antonio Gates Suspended for 4 Games: NFL

Gates blamed his suspension on his use of "supplements and holistic medicines" as part of his recovery from the previous season

A leader on the San Diego Chargers will miss four games of the 2015-2016 season for using performance enhancing substances.

Tight end Antonio Gates, considered to be one of the most respected and valuable members of the team, issued a statement via Twitter.

โ€œIn my 12 years in the NFL, I have taken tremendous pride in upholding the integrity of the NFL shield and all that it entails. I have taken extreme care of my body with a holistic approach and I have never knowingly ingested a substance that was banned by the NFL. In an effort to recover from this past season, I used supplements and holistic medicines, and unfortunately, I have now learned that those substances always present a risk because they may contain banned substances even if the ingredient list doesnโ€™t reflect them. As an NFL veteran and team leader, I should have done my due diligence to ensure that what I was taking for recovery was within the NFL guidelines. I understand that I am responsible for what is in my body and I have always believed that ignorance is no excuse when it comes to these issues. I take full responsibility for my actions. Iโ€™d like to express my sincere apologies to the Chargers, my teammates, coaches, fans and the league who have always supported me and expected and gotten nothing but the highest level of integrity from me."

An NFL statement announced Gates would be suspended without pay for the first four games of the season.

โ€œWe are tremendously disappointed for our team and our fans as well as Antonio, but no more disappointed than Antonio is with himself,โ€ the Chargers said in a written news release.

He will be eligible to return after the October 4 game against the Cleveland Browns.

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