It seems the Buffalo Bills could be going through a bit of a Johnny Manziel situation with All-Pro DT Marcell Dareus.
The NFL handed Dareus a four-game suspension last week for violating its substance abuse policy by missing a drug test. Dareus quickly posted an apology on Instagram and the next day addressed the suspension at a press conference.
"I really don't have much to say," Dareus told reporters. "Words really doesn't mean anything now. It's all action. That's all I'm going to do. I'm going to come back and do the best that I can. I'm just apologizing to my team, my family. I embarrassed my kids, I mean, who I am and who I'm working to be. I still have a nice career, and I want to thank God for that, and at the same time, I apologize to (Bills owner) Terry (Pegula) and Rex and everyone else and everyone that have my back. They said, 'We're family; we're going to stand by you.' But at the same time, like I said, words doesn't mean anything now. It's all action."
The suspension marks the Alabama product's second since entering the league in 2011. He was sidelined for the first four games of the 2015 season stemming from an incident in May of 2014. Dareus was arrested in Alabama and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia after he was pulled over by a state trooper for speeding.
Dareus announced Saturday that he would be going to rehab, saying "I have made the decision to enter a rehabilitation facility. I feel this is the best decision for me, my family and my teammates as I move forward with my career." But after all the apologies and apparent remorse, Dareus was seen just hours after his announcement partying hardy at several establishments along the Chippewa strip in Buffalo.
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Head coach Rex Ryan expressed dismay about his star nose tackle's situation, saying that he's essentially let the whole team down.
"I'm frustrated and disappointed, as is everybody in this organization," said Ryan. "Every teammate from top to bottom. And I'm sure fans are feeling the same way. We all know the kind of player that Marcell is and you know that Marcell is a good person too, but he's got to make better choices and understand that it affects the whole football team and not just himself."
Hopefully for the Bills and Dareus, the two-time Pro Bowler can get his life back on track.
