I'd like to separate this from the other posy as its new info.
Agent: Missed tests the main issue for Bryant
Posted by Jason Mackey
Martavis Bryant is not facing a yearlong suspension from the NFL because of failed drug tests, one of his two agents, Brian Fettner, told DKPittsburghSports.com tonight. Bryant never showed up to multiple tests because of “depression and coping issues.”
“He didn’t fail a test,” Fettner said. “He missed tests. But a miss is a failure to comply.”
Fettner did not know how many tests Bryant missed or why he missed them but said that, as far as he knew, Bryant is not currently smoking marijuana.
“He had a life insurance test three weeks ago,” Fettner said. “He came out clean.”
Bryant and his agents, Fettner and Tom Santanello, are appealing the suspension, on the idea that the tests were not failed; they were never taken in the first place.
“It’s a failure to comply with the tests,” Fettner said. “It wasn’t failed tests. That’s what the appeal is about. We respect the rules, but we feel the one-year suspension is profoundly harsh.”
A USA Today story published earlier Saturday, quoting Fettner, said Bryant would be checking into rehab and undergoing evaluation for his issues.
While that’s still the goal, Fettner said that will no longer happen by Sunday.
“Not for sure (Sunday),” Fettner said. “But very soon.”
Bryant is a repeat offender who missed the first four games of the season because he was suspended. Those failed tests fell into both categories, Fettner said — drug use and missed tests.
The reasons Bryant has not showed for multiple drug tests remain unclear, Fettner said.
“People who have issues with depression and coping and those things put their head in the sand,” Fettner said. “They do things that are inexplicable and kind of self-destructive and deal with things later.”
Fettner said that Bryant isn’t a bad guy and believes the punishment should be adjusted because of unique circumstances.
“Look, it defies all logic,” Fettner said. “This is a really hard-working guy who’s a good guy. I’ve represented a lot of bad guys. I know what a bad guy is when I see him. There are plenty of them. He’s not a party guy. He’s not a bad guy. He never gets arrested. He’s just not that guy. For whatever it is, he’s an introvert. He’s struggling with issues.”
Bryant wants to get to the bottom of this, Fettner said. They’re willing to accept whatever punishment the NFL ultimately doles out but hopes it will reconsider because of what Bryant is dealing with.
“Honestly, it’s really sad. It’s heartbreaking,” Fettner said. “He’s so talented. For whatever it is, whether it’s a mental block, he has trouble coping or whatever, he’s put himself in this position.
“We’re not acknowledging that he smoked marijuana. We’re acknowledging that he missed the tests. He missed some tests. For that, that’s against the rules. We get that. Now we have to find out why.
Agent: Missed tests the main issue for Bryant
Posted by Jason Mackey
Martavis Bryant is not facing a yearlong suspension from the NFL because of failed drug tests, one of his two agents, Brian Fettner, told DKPittsburghSports.com tonight. Bryant never showed up to multiple tests because of “depression and coping issues.”
“He didn’t fail a test,” Fettner said. “He missed tests. But a miss is a failure to comply.”
Fettner did not know how many tests Bryant missed or why he missed them but said that, as far as he knew, Bryant is not currently smoking marijuana.
“He had a life insurance test three weeks ago,” Fettner said. “He came out clean.”
Bryant and his agents, Fettner and Tom Santanello, are appealing the suspension, on the idea that the tests were not failed; they were never taken in the first place.
“It’s a failure to comply with the tests,” Fettner said. “It wasn’t failed tests. That’s what the appeal is about. We respect the rules, but we feel the one-year suspension is profoundly harsh.”
A USA Today story published earlier Saturday, quoting Fettner, said Bryant would be checking into rehab and undergoing evaluation for his issues.
While that’s still the goal, Fettner said that will no longer happen by Sunday.
“Not for sure (Sunday),” Fettner said. “But very soon.”
Bryant is a repeat offender who missed the first four games of the season because he was suspended. Those failed tests fell into both categories, Fettner said — drug use and missed tests.
The reasons Bryant has not showed for multiple drug tests remain unclear, Fettner said.
“People who have issues with depression and coping and those things put their head in the sand,” Fettner said. “They do things that are inexplicable and kind of self-destructive and deal with things later.”
Fettner said that Bryant isn’t a bad guy and believes the punishment should be adjusted because of unique circumstances.
“Look, it defies all logic,” Fettner said. “This is a really hard-working guy who’s a good guy. I’ve represented a lot of bad guys. I know what a bad guy is when I see him. There are plenty of them. He’s not a party guy. He’s not a bad guy. He never gets arrested. He’s just not that guy. For whatever it is, he’s an introvert. He’s struggling with issues.”
Bryant wants to get to the bottom of this, Fettner said. They’re willing to accept whatever punishment the NFL ultimately doles out but hopes it will reconsider because of what Bryant is dealing with.
“Honestly, it’s really sad. It’s heartbreaking,” Fettner said. “He’s so talented. For whatever it is, whether it’s a mental block, he has trouble coping or whatever, he’s put himself in this position.
“We’re not acknowledging that he smoked marijuana. We’re acknowledging that he missed the tests. He missed some tests. For that, that’s against the rules. We get that. Now we have to find out why.
