Baltimore sports fans experienced deja vu yesterday when Ravens defensive lineman Haloti Ngata was suspended for testing positive for Adderall without a therapeutic use exemption. Orioles first baseman Chris Davis was suspended for the same violation back in September.According the Baltimore Sun, his teammates are shocked but sympathetic in response to the suspension. Wide receiver Torrey Smith called the news “difficult to hear.” “He’s expressed how disappointed that he is,” he said. “I know he’s hurt for it, and we’re going to be hurt by it. But we have a lot of guys who have the ability and they got to step up.”
Cornerback Asa Jackson, who himself was suspended several times for not getting a therapeutic use exemption for Adderall, which he takes to treat ADHD, defended Ngata’s character. “You feel for that guy and for his family because, as someone who has a little experience with that, I know I’m not a bad person and I know Haloti is not a bad person.”
Defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan also offered sympathy: “I had a similar situation coming out of college so I know what it’s like. All I can do is pray for him.”
Sources told the Baltimore Sun that Ngata was taking Adderall because of lack of sleep from looking after his three children.
