Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman has had a rough go of it so far this season — first, he was benched by head coach Greg Schiano, and on Monday, someone around the Bucs organization leaked information about Freeman’s participation in the NFL’s drug program.
It’s not clear who let the information get out, but as Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported, Freeman is a stage one participant in the league’s drug program. Initially, no specifics were given about why the QB was part of the program, but Freeman issued a statement Monday night saying that his participation stems from medication he takes for his ADHD.
In the statement, Freeman said that he has taken and passed 46 drug tests within the last year and a half, after he accidentally took Ritalin instead of his prescribed Adderall, triggering a positive test.
“Let me be very clear. I have NEVER tested positive for any illegal drugs or related substances,” Freeman said via ProFootballTalk. “Like millions of Americans, I have ADHD and I have been prescribed and permitted to take medication to treat this condition for the entirety of my NFL career.
“I have taken and passed all 46 drug tests I’ve been given, which test for every drug and banned substance imaginable. I agreed to allow such testing to be done at my workplace [team facility] because I spend all of my time there and I have nothing whatsoever to hide or be embarrassed about.
“Unfortunately, it appears that some people who may have noticed the testing at my workplace have made hurtful and incorrect assumptions and chosen to disseminate inaccurate and very disturbing information. It is a shame that when times have gotten tough, people have chosen to attack the character of others, rather than supporting each other. I remain dedicated and focused to being the best quarterback I can be and to help a team win a championship.”
Freeman was reportedly told to watch the Bucs’ game on Sunday from a suite at Raymond James Stadium as opposed to from the sidelines after the 2009 first round draft pick lost his starting job to rookie Mike Glennon last week.
