Odell Beckham, Jr. Believes NFL Is Targeting Him, Following 2nd Drug Test In Less Than 1 Week
Odell Beckham, Jr. Believes NFL Is Targeting Him, Following 2nd Drug Test In less Than 1 Week
Cleveland Browns star wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., 27, is speaking out against the NFL following his last two random drug tests in under a week. The first round 2014 draft pick believes he is being targeted by the league in the performance-enhancing drug testing process. After the Browns most recent victory 21-7, over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday (Nov. 14th). Odell Beckham, Jr. spoke with reporters on having to take multiple test in that same week. Odell says,
“(The NFL) made me come in Monday when we had an off day. Had a drug test. Made me come in Thursday after the game. Had another drug test.’’
Odell adds based on many other NFL athletes, many aren’t tested for months from the off-seasons to the regular season and playoffs.
“Nobody is getting tested like me. I know people who didn’t get tested for five months in the off-season and I’m getting tested every time.”
The star receiver is not the first player to accuse the league of manipulating the PED testing process. Last season, Carolina Panthers’ safety Eric Reid accused the league of similar actions. Eric Reid tweeted a photo of his 7th drug testing request that says,
“You have been randomly selected by the NFL drug testing program’s Medical Advisor to completed a urine doping test today.”
In a statement, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy, the PED policy and stressed that testing is overseen by an independent administrator.
“Neither the union or the league are involved in the random selection of players to be tested. By means of a computer program, the independent administrator determines which 10 players will be randomly selected each week.’’
PED testing isn’t the only thing Beckham believes the NFL has targeted him for. As previously reported, Odell feels the NFL has singled him out this season for uniform violations. He has called out the NFL for his first of many fines by the league for wearing a $190,000 watch during Cleveland’s opener. After his second fine for his on field altercation with Baltimore Ravens with cornerback Marlon Humphrey, Odell slammed the league for being treated unfairly,
“I think it’s crazy. The NFL finds ways to just take it. They’re going to take it from you. I understand a penalty, getting fined for that. But pants above the knees, a shirt hanging out and we’re talking about a T-shirt that cost $5 to make, and you’re getting $5,000 taken from you. Pads above your knees, and I’m like, you really think that this little knee pad covering my kneecap is going to affect, if somebody hits me, weighs 250 pounds, running 18 mph. I don’t do physics, but if I get hit, this is not going to protect me.“
Here's a close-up video of the fight between #Browns WR @obj and #Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey.pic.twitter.com/DZhuaYP0SZ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 1, 2019
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