Brandon Browner was hit with a one-year suspension by the NFL a few weeks ago for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. He certainly has a case for an appeal, though.
Browner’s suspension stems from a recent failed drug test, but, as a “repeat offender,” he was hit with the full-year ban rather than the usual four-game suspension. The Seahawks cornerback is disputing the suspension, though, as his placement in the NFL’s drug program stemmed from missed tests while not playing in the NFL from 2006 to 2010. The reduced ban would hurt his chances to link on with a new team this offseason, when he’s set to become a free agent, as it wouldn’t allow him to sign with a team until next October.
Beyond his questionable placement in the drug program, Browner is also apparently fighting the recent failed test, claiming there were errors with the sample collections process — the same technicality teammate Richard Sherman used to escape a PED suspension last season.
Browner’s case is strong enough that the NFL offered to reduce his suspension by about three months, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports. The Pro Bowl corner rejected the offer, though, and will continue his appeal of the suspension, likely hoping to get off entirely like Sherman.
It’s unlikely that Browner will escape this entirely unscathed, but his case is compelling and he should see an even bigger reduction before finally accepting his penalty.
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