Dealt a four-game suspension Monday for violating the NFL’s ban on performance-enhancing substances, former West Virginia receiver Stedman Bailey tweeted out apologies to St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher along with the team’s owner and general manager.
The 2013 third-round pick can participate in the Rams offseason workouts and preseason games but must sit out the first four weeks of the regular season—a suspension that will lop $120,552 off his salary.
During a series of tweets, the 23-year-old Bailey wrote:
“I want to be clear that I’ve never taken any performance enhancing products. I acknowledge that a violation of league policy occurred and that I am responsible for that violation. I sincerely apologize to my Coach Fisher, Les Snead, Stan Kroenke, my teammates and our great fans for my mistake.”
Bailey made 17 receptions for 226 yards as a rookie, entering the NFL after a 114-catch junior season for the Mountaineers that include 25 touchdown grabs.
In a follow-up tweet, Bailey wrote: “I see all the negative comments! Everyone makes mistakes, I guarantee I will bounce back. My promise to my fans & #RamsNation.”
Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin, another ex-WVU player who missed four games after running afoul of the league’s drug policy in 2013, advised Bailey via Twitter:
“Feed off negativity it is what it is Steddy b. learn u lesson and move forward. I got ur back my brother.”