Titans linebacker Ryan Fowler faces possible suspension under the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing drugs, his lawyer confirmed Monday.
According to an ESPN report, the league has "credible information" that Fowler "purchased, used or supplied" performance-enhancing drugs. The network said the information stemmed from the league's meetings last month with a convicted steroids dealer, David Jacobs, who was found dead last week in Plano, Texas.
Fowler's attorney, Peter Ginsburg of New York, said he was "disturbed" that the NFL "would have seen fit to have leaked the letter" notifying Fowler he faces suspension.
"Ryan has never tested positive for banned substances," Ginsburg said. "There seems to be an admitted felon who spread some unsubstantiated rumor about Ryan and now the NFL is trying to use that to punish and compromise Ryan's professional career. It's disturbing, it's disappointing and it's in violation of Ryan's rights."
Jacobs pleaded guilty last year to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids. In May, he was sentenced to three years probation and fined $25,000.
In two meetings with NFL security officials, Jacobs named players he said bought steroids from him, and last week the league said it was evaluating the information. Jacobs' shooting death Friday was ruled a suicide by the Dallas County medical examiner.
Fowler spent his first three NFL seasons with Dallas and joined the Titans as a restricted free agent in March of 2007 when the Cowboys declined to match an offer sheet.
He won the middle linebacker job over Stephen Tulloch and started 14 games before suffering a serious shoulder injury. Fowler's four-year, $11.5 million contract included $5 million in bonuses and salary last season.
The Titans declined to comment Monday. NFL rules prohibit teams from commenting on matters pertaining to the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
An NFL spokesman also declined to comment. Ginsburg said he advised Fowler and his agent, Alan Herman, not to comment.
"Ryan has confidence that at the end of the day he will be vindicated and allowed to play football. But he's obviously upset that this is in the press," Ginsburg said.
" … We've put the burden on the NFL to justify its actions and we expect, or at least we hope, that the NFL will come forth."
An initial suspension for a violation of the league's policy against performance enhancers is four games. Titans running back Chris Henry was suspended four games last season after testing positive for a banned substance that was not a steroid.
