Notre Dame Football in the NFL: Golden Tate is latest victim of NFL’s lack of common sense

Saturday, New York Giant and Notre Dame football alumnus Golden Tate was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

The NFL and its lack of common sense has struck again, this time victimizing Notre Dame football alumnus and New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate. On Saturday, it was announced that Tate was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

Tate signed with the Giants this offseason and was going to be a focal point of the Giants receiving corps after the team traded Odell Beckham, Jr. in March.

The Giants are in a tailspin at receiver with the injuries to Corey Coleman and Sterling Shepard, and now Tate’s suspension. In other Notre Dame-related news, they have now signed another former Irish alumnus in TJ Jones to provide some relief.

Tate was quick to address the report, issuing a statement on twitter, stating that his positive test was a result of receiving a prescription after he and his wife sought the services of a fertility specialist:

Tate is appealing the suspension and expects to win his appeal, but based on precedence, it doesn’t look good for Tate. The NFL Substance Abuse policy typically has a zero tolerance policy, and whether or not Tate took the drugs for noble purposes or not, the drugs in question are on the banned substances list.

Tate is allowed to continue to practice with the Giants at preseason training camp and play in preseasons games. The NFL will continue its investigation into Tate’s positive test and if it rules against Tate, he will sit out the first four games of the regular season.

While many would hope–and expect–the NFL to approach the investigation and its findings with common sense and rule in favor of Tate, there isn’t a ton of hope that the league office will do the right thing.