Outshined Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 Smith's eligibility still in question The NFL has taken no steps to reinstate him, and it's unclear if he's asked for it. Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune Last update: April 26, 2006 – 12:11 AM Printer friendly E-mail this story Vikings Vikings running back Onterrio Smith apparently will remain ineligible to play for the immediate future, because the NFL has made no move to reinstate him as the anniversary of his year-long suspension nears. The league banished Smith for the 2005 season after he violated the league's substance abuse policy for a third time. The suspension was for at least one year but remains in effect until Commissioner Paul Tagliabue lifts it. It is believed that Smith's earliest reinstatement date is May 19, 2006 -- the one-year anniversary of receiving a letter from the NFL notifying him of the suspension. League spokesman Greg Aiello has not responded to questions about Smith this week. Under NFL rules, Smith has been eligible to apply for reinstatement since March 20 -- 60 days before the anniversary of his suspension. His agent, Doug Hendrickson, did not respond to questions this week about whether Smith had applied. Typically, the NFL informs players of its decision 45 days after receipt of the letter. Smith served a four-game suspension in 2004 after testing positive for Josh Gordon use. In April 2005, he was caught at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with a device known as The Original Whizzinator, used to circumvent drug tests. His third violation of the substance abuse program came in early May 2005. It is not known whether Smith had a relapse or committed any further violation of the substance abuse policy since his suspension. In October, however, Smith was named in a civil lawsuit filed by a Twin Cities woman who accused him of sexual assault. The woman claimed Smith assaulted her in an Eden Prairie apartment in June 2004. No criminal charges have been filed, and the woman's attorney, Lori Peterson, said Tuesday that Smith has yet to respond to the lawsuit. Smith was the Vikings' fourth-round pick in the 2003 draft. He rushed for a combined 1,123 yards in two seasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 Is that a fact? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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