Washington Redskins linebacker Rob Jackson said the situation that led to him being suspended for four games to start the 2013 season was highly frustrating, but Jackson is focused on moving forward with football and making the biggest impact he possibly can for the Redskins.
It was learned during the offseason that Jackson had earned a suspension for taking an unapproved painkiller — which he now reveals was Codeine — during the 2012 season. Jackson was bothered by a bad tooth and took the pills, which were prescribed to his girlfriend, and not himself.
Jackson, who until Thursday, hadn’t spoken to reporters about the suspension, said the day after he took the pills, he was selected for a random drug test. But he says he never thought that he had done something wrong.
“I didn’t until I got the letter, and then I was like, ‘Codeine?’ then I thought, ‘okay, it makes sense now,’” recalled Jackson, who had the tooth pulled.
At first Jackson thought he could fight the suspension and win the appeal.
“I thought I had a chance to, because I showed them all the papers and all the doctors notes to show I did have work done, but at the time, the pills weren’t prescribed to me, so,” he said. It was very frustrating, just the way things happened: me taking the pills for the pain, the next day me being tested, a couple weeks later, me getting a letter. But I feel that everything happens for a reason. I’m a firm believer in that.”
Jackson had a career season last year, starting 14 games, recording 4.5 sacks and four interceptions — one of which he returned for a touchdown. He was a restricted free agent this past offseason, but re-signed with Washington on a one-year deal worth $715,000.
The suspension could not have come at a worse time for Jackson as it may have hurt his earning potential.
“I’m not sure,” he said. “It’s something now that I will never know, considering that it happened and it was out during the contract signing, so maybe, maybe not. … I was disappointed in myself, and mad about the situation, but I’m trying to put it behind me and move forward. Now I just have to put stuff on tape.”
Jackson will be able to practice with the Redskins during training camp, and will be able to play in the preseason. Then his suspension will begin and he will miss the first four regular season games. That could prove challenging mentally, but Jackson aims to clear that hurdle.
“I’m going to come to work every day,” he said. “Ever since I’ve been here, it hasn’t been easy for me. I’ve never had a position, coming out of camp, and I’ve just had to work, and that’s what I plan on doing.”
This website uses cookies.
