Jayron Hosley Apologizes for Drug Suspension

Jayron Hosley – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Jayron Hosley Apologizes for Drug Suspension: New York Giants cornerback Jayron Hosley, who was suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2014 regular season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse, addressed the media on Thursday after practice.

“I want to apologize to the ownership of the New York Giants,” said Hosley. “Those guys, they’re the ones that believe in me. The GM, Jerry Reese, my coaches and most importantly my teammates and the fans. My teammates, we go on the field every day and battle together. We spend time off the field together. I really don’t want this to be all about me and taking the attention away from the team because it’s about the team first.”

While this is the first time Hosley has been suspended by the NFL for drug use, Hosley did reportedly fail a drug test at the NFL Combine before he was drafted by the Giants in the 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Hosley will be eligible to return to the Giants’ active roster on Friday, September 26 following the team’s September 25 game against the Washington Redskins. Unless he is waived, Hosley is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.

Hosley is the second New York Giant this offseason to be suspended by the NFL for violating the NFL Policy for Substances of Abuse. Safety Will Hill was suspended by the NFL for six games on May 30. The Giants waived him on June 2.

WATCH: CB Jayron Hosley apologizes for suspension http://t.co/wJKB1KIajJ

— New York Giants (@Giants) June 5, 2014

Hosley was appealing the suspension but decided to drop that appeal.

“I’m not going to sit here and get into the specifics,” said Hosley. “I made a mistake, there’s a consequence to everything that you do. I’ve got to be man enough to accept them and move on…Right now I’m just focusing on football, myself, staying focused and surrounding myself with good people and family who’s always been there for me. That’s my focus right now.”

Hosley was asked if he was undergoing drug counseling.

“I do see counseling but at the same time right now it’s not about what I’m doing outside of football, it’s about football right now,” replied Hosley.

Hosley indicated that the the failed drug test actually occurred last year. “This was something that went on last season,” said Hosley. “I was trying to appeal it and the ball didn’t bounce my way.”

Commenting on both Hosley and Hill, safety Antrel Rolle said, “Every individual has to be accountable for his own actions. They’re both adults, they’re both men. They know right from wrong, they know the do’s and don’ts of this league. They know if you’re going to be tested, when you’re going to be tested. It’s too easy to do right than to keep doing wrong. … We don’t need to have that pub, guys hitting up on Twitter, saying, ‘What’s going on? What’s up with the secondary?’ I mean, it’s a bad reflection. It doesn’t look good.”

TE Tom Crabtree to Work Out for Giants: According to The Star-Ledger, unrestricted free agent TE Tom Crabtree, who was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in May, will work out for the New York Giants next week.

The 28-year old Crabtree has spent time with the Chiefs (2009), Packers (2009-2012), and Buccaneers (2013-2014). He has 22 career regular-season receptions for 323 yards and five touchdowns.

Article on the New York Giants OTAs: Giants OTAs: 5 takeaways include offensive improvement and a surprise at TE by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Article on QB Eli Manning: Change a positive for Eli Manning, says Phil Simms by Bob Glauber of Newsday

ESPN Interview with LB Mark Herzlich: A two-part video interview with LB Mark Herzlich is available at ESPN.com:

• Part I (Video)
• Part II (Video)