The saga with Pat Williams and Kevin Williams of the Minnesota Vikings turned another chapter on Friday, September 11 when a federal appeals court upheld a ruling that the NFL couldn't suspend either player during this season like they were looking to do. The league had said that the two could play for the Vikings first game of the season against the Cleveland Browns, but they were still looking to suspend them later in the season. The ruling upheld a lower court hearing that the suspensions can't be handed out until the legal issues are hammered out in state court. The Williamses originally filed in state court to block their suspension under Minnesota's workplace laws. The original suspension from the NFL was supposed to be for four games. The NFL could still appeal the decision.
The reason for the suspension comes from a drug test during last season's training camp that had both testing positive for a banned substance. The courts could step in for this situation because the league's collective bargaining agreement with the players union falls under federal labor law. Both players admitted to taking an over-the-counter supplement for weight loss, but were unaware that is contained bumetanide, a banned diuretic. The labeling on the product didn't indicate bumetanide as an ingredient. The substance isn't a steroid, but it can be used to mask steroid use in drug tests. This case could also influence decisions on Charles Grant, Will Smith and Deuce McAllister, who had the same testing results. Fans can see the Williamses take the field by getting Minnesota Vikings tickets online.
Nose tackle Pat Williams is a 13-year veteran who has been with the Vikings since 2005. Considering how much of a star Pat Williams is, it may interest many to know that he wasn't drafted coming out of Texas A&M in 1997. He joined the Buffalo Bills that season. He only saw action in one game that year, but he slowly worked his way up to a starter. By 2001, he had started all 13 games he played in that season with the Bills, tallying 59 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He continued to start every season he was with the Bills and made a different type of headlines in 2003 when his Bills teammates voted to give him the Ed Block Courage Award. He started every regular season game in from 2005 to 2007 and also was named to three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2006 to 2008.
Defensive tackle Kevin Williams is in his seventh season in the league, and he has been with the Vikings since he entered the league in 2003. Since his rookie season, he has started every single regular season game, minus two in 2005. During that time, he has tallied a total of 297 tackles, 42.5 sacks, 33 passes defended and four interceptions. His four career interceptions give him the Vikings record for most interceptions by a lineman. Last season he had 60 tackles, 8.5 sacks and four passes defended. He also has four different Pro Bowl selections.
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