Former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes will start off his career with the New York Jets by missing the first four games. The NFL has suspended the athlete without pay for an undisclosed drug violation, the league announced today – less than 24 hours after the Jets traded a fifth-round pick to get Holmes from Pittsburgh.
Sources say the four-game time out is not due to the NFL’s anabolic steroid policy, but rather a violation of the league’s drug restrictions. The 2009 Super Bowl MVP is eligible to participate in the Jets’ offseason program and in all preseason practices and games. He would be suspended for an entire season if he violates the league’s policy again.
Holmes, 26, is also facing a lawsuit in Florida from a woman who claims he threw a glass at her, cutting her above the eye, in an Orlando nightclub. A witness has since taken responsibility, according to Holmes’ lawyer.
