NFL suspends retired Welbourn for steroid use
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Sept. 6, 2006) -- Kansas City Chiefs tackle John Welbourn, who unexpectedly retired in June, was suspended for six weeks for violating the league's drug policy.
Welbourn, who was also suspended for the first four games in 2005 under the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, had asked to be reinstated, said Chiefs president Carl Peterson.
The Chiefs still have Welbourn under contract for three years. And with the unexpected retirement in July of Pro Bowl left tackle Willie Roaf, they have a need at offensive tackle. But whether the 30-year-old Welbourn is taken back remains to be seen, Peterson said.
"We'll determine that after the suspension is finished. I'm not going to comment on that," Peterson told The Associated Press.
The Chiefs had placed him on the reserve-did not report list.
"Obviously I knew about this for some time," Peterson said. "I guess you could say we anticipated this."
The Chiefs have an early bye week this season, so Welbourn's suspension will last seven weeks, during which he will not be allowed on the facility to work out or do anything else.
An announcement by the NFL office in New York said he would be eligible to return to the Chiefs on Oct. 23.
"Specific to what his status will be with the Chiefs after the suspension, we'll address at that time," Peterson said.
A seven-year veteran, Welbourn cited a desire "to retire on my own terms rather than somebody else's," when he retired in June.
He has a degree in rhetoric from California and said he planned to go to law school and work with his father and brother, who are attorneys.
Welbourn was acquired by Kansas City from Philadelphia in 2004 after coming into the league as a fourth-round draft choice in 1999. He was hampered by a knee injury during his first year in Kansas City, and then was suspended for the beginning of the 2005 schedule.
He started the last nine games at right tackle for the Chiefs last year.
Peterson said he had not talked recently with Welbourn.
"I hope he's learned something," Peterson said. "This is two strikes. It's perplexing because he is a very bright guy."
A third positive test for performance-enhancing drugs would subject him to a 10-game suspension and he could be banned for life at the discretion of the commissioner.
