Titans cornerback Nazeeh Johnson, who has been suspended for the first six games of the season for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances, says his violation came from his and his wife's efforts to conceive a child.
Johnson released a statement saying that he took a fertility medication without knowing that it was on the league's list of banned substances.
“My wife and I were trying to conceive a child," Johnson wrote. "We found out that I was infertile, and I took a fertility medication that was helping me try to conceive a baby. I was not aware that there was a substance in the medication that was on the banned list, and I tested positive for a PED. Lesson to all NFL players and new players coming into the league: do not put anything in your body without following the process and getting approval beforehand. We lost our baby a few weeks ago, and this has been an incredibly difficult time for my wife and me. Fortunately, we have nine good eggs left, so we’re holding on to hope that we’ll be able to grow our family.”
Some fertility medications are considered banned performance-enhancing substances, although athletes can apply for therapeutic use exemptions if they are going to take the medication under a doctor's supervision. Johnson apparently didn't apply for the therapeutic use exemption because he didn't realize the medication was on the list of banned substances, and that will cost him six games.
Because NFL suspensions are unpaid, Johnson will lose one-third of his salary this season, a little over $350,000.
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