Fertility medication caused drug ban, says NFL player — SkimNews
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- Nazeeh Johnson, Tennessee Titans cornerback, has been suspended six regular-season games without pay for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy.
- Johnson says he tested positive for a banned substance contained in fertility medication he and his wife were taking after being told he was infertile.
- The couple lost their baby a few weeks ago, though they still have nine good eggs remaining and remain hopeful about growing their family.
- Johnson was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022, helped them win back-to-back Super Bowls in 2023 and 2024, then joined Tennessee in July.
- Johnson remains eligible for all pre-season activities; his suspension begins August 30 and he can apply for reinstatement on Monday, October 19, meaning he would miss the Titans' September 13 season opener.
- On X, Johnson warned fellow players: 'do not put anything in your body without following the process and getting approval beforehand.'
Why it matters: Johnson's case underscores how the NFL's strict liability PED policy can ensnare players using medication for legitimate medical purposes — here, fertility treatment — costing a two-time Super Bowl champion roughly six games of pay at the same time he and his wife are grieving a pregnancy loss.
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