Report: Suspended Dallas Cowboys lineman expresses innocence of bribery allegation
Dallas Cowboys right tackle La’el Collins was suspended by the NFL on September 10th. However, yesterday it was revealed that the suspension came to fruition because Collins attempted to bribe the league’s drug-test collector, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Now, Collins is expressing innocence after the allegations came to light.
“Collins is adamant he did nothing wrong, sources stress. Why would he try to bribe someone when he hasn’t produced a positive test for marijuana? It makes no sense,” writes David Moore of The Dallas Morning News. “Any comments made by Collins along those lines to a sample collector were clearly intended as a joke and should be viewed that way, sources contend. That’s the stance.”
Evidently, claiming you were just joking isn’t a leg to stand on. Moreover, Moore likens it to walking into an airport and joking you have a gun — a joke that carries consequences.
While Collins may have revealed his true intentions, it doesn’t mean the suspension is going to go away.
Suspension Details
Furthermore, NFL players can’t be suspended for positive marijuana tests due to the NFL’s new collective bargaining agreement. Reportedly, Collins’ issue was multiple missed tests and also trying to bribe the test collector, which led to his suspension.
Afterwards, the NFL initially prepared to suspend Collins for five games, but the NFL Players Association helped negotiate the suspension down to what would have been a two-game ban.
However, Collins decided to appeal the suspension. It was heard by an arbitrator appointed jointly by both the league and the NFLPA. Later, the arbitrator not only rejected Collins’ appeal — they ruled that based on the evidence, the suspension should be increased back to the original five games, according to Schefter.
Now, Collins lawyer is attempting to appeal the decision — but it’s not believed to be reduced. Additionally, Collins served the first game of his suspension against the Los Angeles Chargers. Now, he will miss tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Additionally, Schefter reports that if the former LSU offensive lineman’s suspension is not reduced or overturned, Collins will be eligible to return to the roster Oct. 18, the day after the Cowboys play the New England Patriots.
La’el Collins’ Career
Since joining the league, Collins has been a fixture along the Dallas offensive line. He’s started 62 of the 63 games he has played for the Cowboys since 2015. However, he missed 13 games in 2016 because of a toe injury, and all of last season because of the hip surgery.
La’el Collins played 83 snaps in the Cowboys’ season opener against the Buccaneers on Thursday, September 9, and hasn’t played since for that reason. Furthermore, his replacement was Terence Steele, who allowed no sacks, no quarterback hits, and three quarterback hurries.