NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans suspended linebacker Gerald McRath on Monday without pay for the first four games of the upcoming season for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
McRath said he learned in February he had tested positive early in his rookie season, a year in which the fourth-round draft pick out of Southern Mississippi started five games at outside linebacker. McRath said it was not for steroids, though the NFL did not tell him exactly what substance they found.
“I take a number of supplements, but it was something that I took. In actuality, it’s still my responsibility,” McRath said.
McRath’s unpaid suspension starts Sept. 4, and he cannot return to the roster until Oct. 4 — a day after the Titans host the Broncos.
McRath said he hasn’t taken any supplements since learning of the positive test and is paying approximately $6,000 to check what he took to track down the offending item. He also plans to test any supplement first in the future to avoid another positive test.
“The process is just frustrating because you look to yourself and you’re like, ‘Man, I’m not that type of person.’ No, I didn’t cheat. But at the same time, you’re in the NFL now so you’re a professional.”
• New York Jets all-pro cornerback Darrelle Revis sat out some plays during practice in protest of his stalled negotiations after initially saying he wasn’t feeling well.
“I was just a little lightheaded today, a hamstring pull too,” Revis said with a chuckle. “Nah, we’re going through it right now. There’s some things right now and we’re starting to get serious.”
• Running back Pierre Thomas signed his one-year restricted free-agent tender offer from the New Orleans Saints, but he wants to negotiate a longer and more lucrative deal before training camp.
• Les Richter, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection for the Los Angeles Rams who became a top NASCAR executive after retiring from the NFL, died Saturday in Riverside, Calif. He was 79.
Canucks’ Burrows has surgery
VANCOUVER, B.C. — Vancouver Canucks forward Alex Burrows had surgery on his shoulder to repair damage suffered during the NHL season. Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said the surgery was a success and that Burrows, who led the team with 35 goals in 2009-10, will begin a rehab program.
• The Toronto Maple Leafs have a new captain — defenseman Dion Phaneuf. The team hasn’t had a captain since Mats Sundin left the club in the summer of 2008.
Footnotes.
Frank Schleck of Luxembourg led a late breakaway to win the third stage of the Tour of Switzerland, while Germany’s Tony Martin took the overall race lead from Fabian Cancellara. Lance Armstrong finished seven seconds back to move from 33rd to 21st.
• Indiana State basketball coach Kevin McKenna resigned to take an assistant coaching job at Oregon.
• Larry Dixon (top fuel), Bob Tasca (funny car), Mike Edwards (pro stock) and Michael Phillips (pro stock motorcycle) won their respective events at the rain-delayed NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, N.J.
