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The NFL kicked off the holiday weekend by announcing several player suspensions. Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson of the Jets was suspended for the first four games of the season for a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy, and veteran tight end Antonio Gates of the Chargers will also miss the first four games of the season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain will miss the first four games of the season for a substance abuse policy violation, and Packers defensive end Datone Jones will miss the first game of the season for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy.
The one thing these four players have in common is that none of them play for the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons, as a matter of fact, have been generally unscathed by drug suspensions, with the most recent being center Joe Hawley, who missed four games back in 2012 for reportedly taking Adderall without going through the process the NFL requires to approve its use for its intended purpose. Todd McClure was still the starter at the time, so it wasn't a major issue.
Weigh in on the suspensions and celebrate Falcons players' decision to just say no in the comments.