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Receiver Jimmy Smith of the Jacksonville Jaguars was suspended for four games by the NFL on Saturday for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Details of Smith's violation are confidential.
Smith, an 11-year veteran who has been to five Pro Bowls, told his teammates about the suspension during an emotional meeting in the locker room Saturday.
Later, he released a statement through the team that said, "I would like to apologize to my families, parents, friends, the Jaguars organization and fans. I would especially like to apologize to (owner) Wayne Weaver, who I know I have embarrassed and disappointed so much. I am sincerely sorry that I have concealed this from everyone and let them down.''
In 2001, the leading receiver in team history was found to have traces of metabolized cocaine in his system after being pulled over for speeding and on suspicion of drunk driving. He denied he used cocaine and was never charged.
During his nine seasons in Jacksonville, Smith has been one of the most popular and productive Jaguars. When news of his positive cocaine test came out in 2001, he angrily denied he was a drug user.
"I just hate for my name to be associated with anything like that, ever,'' Smith said at the time.
He was never charged because his blood-alcohol level wasn't above the legal limit at the time of his arrest, and because he was not in possession of the drug. Metabolized forms of cocaine can be detected in the system for up to two days after it's ingested.
The incident was thought to have placed Smith into the NFL's substance-abuse program, which requires players to undergo regular drug testing. His suspension, the first of his career, will begin with the season opener, Sept. 7 at Carolina, and continue through Sept. 28.
Smith said he'd skip Jacksonville's final two preseason games and begin treatment immediately.
"Although I have been working to overcome this problem, it's apparent it is necessary for me to take extraordinary measures,'' Smith said. "Wayne and the Jaguars organization, as well as my family and friends, have all been supportive and I will not let them down.''
Smith's suspension adds to a tumultuous preseason for the Jaguars.
It began with three players being taken to the hospital due to heat-related illness. Rookie quarterback Byron Leftwich held out for 19 days. The holdout ended late last week and Leftwich directed a game-winning drive in a preseason matchup with Miami on Friday, leading many to believe the worst was over.
Not so.
"There's not a whole lot to add to it, other than we are supportive of Jimmy getting treatment,'' coach Jack Del Rio said. "It's a very difficult thing to overcome. We are disappointed, but our primary focus must be on supporting him as he goes through a very difficult time and seeks the treatment that he needs.''
Weaver released a statement saying, "We are deeply disappointed and saddened by this news... We will welcome him back when he is healthy and ready to return.''
The Jaguars were already hurting at receiver. They signed free-agent J.J. Stokes to compete for the starting job opposite Smith. Behind Stokes, they have little proven talent.
Paired with Keenan McCardell for six years in Jacksonville -- they were called "Thunder and Lightning'' -- Smith established himself as one of the NFL's premier receivers.
He entered this season with seven straight 1,000-yard receiving years, although his production declined last season. He only had two 100-yard receiving games, his lowest total since becoming a regular starter in 1996.
His struggles came in part because of McCardell's departure and in part because the Jaguars didn't throw the ball as much as in the past. Regardless, it was a disappointing season from a player who held out for 38 days during the preseason, until the Jaguars relented and gave him a signing bonus worth about $10 million.
As is custom in Jacksonville, police videotaped Smith's 2001 arrest. He was pulled over for speeding in the early morning following a victory over the Bengals.
Footage on the 30-minute videotape shows Smith insisting to police he did nothing wrong and was only going fast so he could hurry home to see his infant children. While never rude to the arresting officer, he several times acted confused about the instructions he was receiving about the field-sobriety test. When the officer placed Smith in the car to take him to jail, the receiver contended the officer was only arresting Smith because he was a famous figure in Jacksonville.
The day after the arrest, then-coach Tom Coughlin staunchly defended Smith, saying, "He looked me right in the eye and said, 'I did not use cocaine or any form of drug.' I have extensive background with this young man. I believe he's telling me the truth.''
Several of his teammates, including quarterback Mark Brunell, also came to his defense.
Details of Smith's violation are confidential.
Smith, an 11-year veteran who has been to five Pro Bowls, told his teammates about the suspension during an emotional meeting in the locker room Saturday.
Later, he released a statement through the team that said, "I would like to apologize to my families, parents, friends, the Jaguars organization and fans. I would especially like to apologize to (owner) Wayne Weaver, who I know I have embarrassed and disappointed so much. I am sincerely sorry that I have concealed this from everyone and let them down.''
In 2001, the leading receiver in team history was found to have traces of metabolized cocaine in his system after being pulled over for speeding and on suspicion of drunk driving. He denied he used cocaine and was never charged.
During his nine seasons in Jacksonville, Smith has been one of the most popular and productive Jaguars. When news of his positive cocaine test came out in 2001, he angrily denied he was a drug user.
"I just hate for my name to be associated with anything like that, ever,'' Smith said at the time.
He was never charged because his blood-alcohol level wasn't above the legal limit at the time of his arrest, and because he was not in possession of the drug. Metabolized forms of cocaine can be detected in the system for up to two days after it's ingested.
The incident was thought to have placed Smith into the NFL's substance-abuse program, which requires players to undergo regular drug testing. His suspension, the first of his career, will begin with the season opener, Sept. 7 at Carolina, and continue through Sept. 28.
Smith said he'd skip Jacksonville's final two preseason games and begin treatment immediately.
"Although I have been working to overcome this problem, it's apparent it is necessary for me to take extraordinary measures,'' Smith said. "Wayne and the Jaguars organization, as well as my family and friends, have all been supportive and I will not let them down.''
Smith's suspension adds to a tumultuous preseason for the Jaguars.
It began with three players being taken to the hospital due to heat-related illness. Rookie quarterback Byron Leftwich held out for 19 days. The holdout ended late last week and Leftwich directed a game-winning drive in a preseason matchup with Miami on Friday, leading many to believe the worst was over.
Not so.
"There's not a whole lot to add to it, other than we are supportive of Jimmy getting treatment,'' coach Jack Del Rio said. "It's a very difficult thing to overcome. We are disappointed, but our primary focus must be on supporting him as he goes through a very difficult time and seeks the treatment that he needs.''
Weaver released a statement saying, "We are deeply disappointed and saddened by this news... We will welcome him back when he is healthy and ready to return.''
The Jaguars were already hurting at receiver. They signed free-agent J.J. Stokes to compete for the starting job opposite Smith. Behind Stokes, they have little proven talent.
Paired with Keenan McCardell for six years in Jacksonville -- they were called "Thunder and Lightning'' -- Smith established himself as one of the NFL's premier receivers.
He entered this season with seven straight 1,000-yard receiving years, although his production declined last season. He only had two 100-yard receiving games, his lowest total since becoming a regular starter in 1996.
His struggles came in part because of McCardell's departure and in part because the Jaguars didn't throw the ball as much as in the past. Regardless, it was a disappointing season from a player who held out for 38 days during the preseason, until the Jaguars relented and gave him a signing bonus worth about $10 million.
As is custom in Jacksonville, police videotaped Smith's 2001 arrest. He was pulled over for speeding in the early morning following a victory over the Bengals.
Footage on the 30-minute videotape shows Smith insisting to police he did nothing wrong and was only going fast so he could hurry home to see his infant children. While never rude to the arresting officer, he several times acted confused about the instructions he was receiving about the field-sobriety test. When the officer placed Smith in the car to take him to jail, the receiver contended the officer was only arresting Smith because he was a famous figure in Jacksonville.
The day after the arrest, then-coach Tom Coughlin staunchly defended Smith, saying, "He looked me right in the eye and said, 'I did not use cocaine or any form of drug.' I have extensive background with this young man. I believe he's telling me the truth.''
Several of his teammates, including quarterback Mark Brunell, also came to his defense.