Patriots TE Benjamin Watson Announces He's Suspended for First 4 Games of NFL Season
By Parker White
Earlier this month, veteran tight end Benjamin Watson announced that he's coming out of retirement and is signing with the New England Patriots. Sadly, Watson won't be able to play a full season because he just announced on Facebook that he'll be suspended the first four games of the new campaign.
Wow, Benjamin Watson just announced on Facebook that he'll be suspended for the first four games of this upcoming season #Patriots pic.twitter.com/UFpmjubM1I
— Thomas Carannante (@TurkeyTom17) May 26, 2019
Watson is getting suspended for using bioidentical testosterone cypionate, an anabolic steroid he took to heal his body after years in the NFL. At the point in whihc he used the substance, he didn't know he was coming out of retirement to play football again.
When he decided to play football again, he knew any drug tests would come up positive. In every way, he was prepared to be penalized by the league.
A Facebook post by Patriots TE Benjamin Watson explains how he knew his decision to return to the NFL would include a four-game suspension, and he shares the context of the situation in detail. pic.twitter.com/UHVEppk6g4
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 26, 2019
Watson did tell all the teams that were interested beforehand about this failed test and subsequent suspension. This is a bummer for Watson and the Pats, who need his services to replace the retired Rob Gronkowski.