The Indianapolis Colts received some horrible news on Tuesday, as star defensive tackle Grover Stewart was issued a six-game suspension by the NFL for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Shortly after the suspension was announced, Stewart took to social media to issue an apology to Colts fans.
Stewart has started all six games thus far for the Colts, helping the team in a big way with their ability to stop the run. His absence will almost certainly be noticeable for the Colts, who will be without him until at least Week 14.
Stewart took to Instagram to issue an apology, stating that he was “surprised and disappointed” upon hearing that he violated the NFL’s policy leading to a suspension.
“I want to apologize to the National Football League, the Colts organization, my teammates, our fans, and my family,” said Stewart on Instagram via James Boyd of The Athletic on Twitter. “I was surprised and disappointed to learn I had violated the policy. I respect the integrity of the game and would never purposefully put myself or the team in this kind of situation.
“I am responsible for what I put into my body, and I should have taken the proper steps to educate myself. I will learn from this moving forward, and I will take the appropriate measures to ensure this never happens again.”
#Colts DT Grover Stewart’s apology, which he shared on IG:
“I respect the integrity of the game and would never purposefully put myself or the team in this kind of situation. I am responsible for what I put in my body, and I should have taken the proper steps to educate myself.” https://t.co/eqBe9iz9ID pic.twitter.com/23RVogPORW
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) October 17, 2023
Stewart appears to be adamant that he did not purposefully take PEDs to cause this violation. However, fans didn’t exactly believe him in his apology.
https://twitter.com/herbymatt25/status/1714374761214591255
Same excuse every time
— ًًً (@D_WhiteSzN) October 17, 2023
does any player ever purposely violate PED policy in the history of the NFL? asking for a friend
— Tim Sheehan (@inondehfsusld) October 17, 2023
Give me a break, they are ALL aware of what is not allowed.
Period.
— Richard Horton (@grapplerone) October 17, 2023
How hard is it for these guys to just check to make sure their supplements/medications aren't on the banned list?
The "oops, I didn't know" strategy seems weak to me. This season has become just as much a catastrophe as last season, just in different ways.
— Daddy Steve (@SMosley21) October 17, 2023
Obviously, no player is going to admit to knowingly taking PEDs, so it’s hard for the majority of fans to take him at his word in this situation.
Regardless, his loss will be a devastating loss for the Colts on the defensive side of the ball. Stewart ranks inside the top-10 in run defense stops at his position thus far this season.
Grover Stewart ranks top-10 among all iDL in run defense stops and run defense positive play percentage. Big loss for the Colts. https://t.co/8MxYxk77E4
— Cody Suek (@CodySuek) October 17, 2023
