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Drake Stoops didn’t sugarcoat it.
Getting popped with a two-game suspension by the NFL on March 11 for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances was “definitely not an ideal situation” for the former OU football star.
“It was just an honest mistake,” Stoops told The Oklahoman on Sunday while hosting a youth skills clinic in Oklahoma City.
The tag of performance-enhancing substances is a wide umbrella under NFL rules, which can lead to speculation on what exactly Stoops, a second-year receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, had tested positive for.
“It's not steroids or anything like that,” Stoops said, “and I would never try to gain an unfair advantage or cheat the game or the process in any way like that.”
Stoops said he took half an Adderall pill — which is approved by the FDA to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and narcolepsy — to stay awake while driving home, and that’s what caused his failed drug test.
NFL players are tested annually for amphetamines, including Adderall, but they can apply to the league for a waiver to take the drug. However, Stoops had not applied for the league waiver.
More: 'Stooooops': How OU football's Drake Stoops carves out own unique path with Sooners
“So, that is a very valuable lesson that I have now learned the hard way,” Stoops said, “but it was just an honest mistake.”
While embarrassed that he’ll miss the first two games of the 2025 season if he makes the 53-man roster, Stoops was encouraged by the support he’s received from Rams coach Sean McVay and his teammates.
“When I reached out to the Rams, they were nothing but supportive and great about it,” said Stoops, who added that he hadn’t taken Adderall while playing football. “They've had my back the whole entire way and that means the world to me. So, I'm excited to have that behind me now and go forward and just put my best foot forward.”
Stoops, the son of former OU head coach Bob Stoops, was a fan favorite in his six-season career with the Sooners – catching 164 passes for 1,876 yards and 17 touchdowns.
An undrafted free agent a year ago, Stoops spent the 2024 season on the Rams’ practice squad.
He’ll enter this summer’s training camp hoping to carve out a role playing with established NFL receivers Davante Adams, Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell.
Stoops said he learned a lot being able to pick the minds of Nacua and former Rams receiver Cooper Kupp last season.
“I got lucky to go to an organization with such good veteran leadership,” Stoops said. “And they're so willing to give all their knowledge, and that's been the best part.”
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Drake Stoops says NFL 2-game suspension is due to testing for Adderall
Continue reading...
Getting popped with a two-game suspension by the NFL on March 11 for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances was “definitely not an ideal situation” for the former OU football star.
“It was just an honest mistake,” Stoops told The Oklahoman on Sunday while hosting a youth skills clinic in Oklahoma City.
The tag of performance-enhancing substances is a wide umbrella under NFL rules, which can lead to speculation on what exactly Stoops, a second-year receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, had tested positive for.
“It's not steroids or anything like that,” Stoops said, “and I would never try to gain an unfair advantage or cheat the game or the process in any way like that.”
Stoops said he took half an Adderall pill — which is approved by the FDA to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and narcolepsy — to stay awake while driving home, and that’s what caused his failed drug test.
NFL players are tested annually for amphetamines, including Adderall, but they can apply to the league for a waiver to take the drug. However, Stoops had not applied for the league waiver.
More: 'Stooooops': How OU football's Drake Stoops carves out own unique path with Sooners
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“So, that is a very valuable lesson that I have now learned the hard way,” Stoops said, “but it was just an honest mistake.”
While embarrassed that he’ll miss the first two games of the 2025 season if he makes the 53-man roster, Stoops was encouraged by the support he’s received from Rams coach Sean McVay and his teammates.
“When I reached out to the Rams, they were nothing but supportive and great about it,” said Stoops, who added that he hadn’t taken Adderall while playing football. “They've had my back the whole entire way and that means the world to me. So, I'm excited to have that behind me now and go forward and just put my best foot forward.”
Stoops, the son of former OU head coach Bob Stoops, was a fan favorite in his six-season career with the Sooners – catching 164 passes for 1,876 yards and 17 touchdowns.
An undrafted free agent a year ago, Stoops spent the 2024 season on the Rams’ practice squad.
He’ll enter this summer’s training camp hoping to carve out a role playing with established NFL receivers Davante Adams, Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell.
Stoops said he learned a lot being able to pick the minds of Nacua and former Rams receiver Cooper Kupp last season.
“I got lucky to go to an organization with such good veteran leadership,” Stoops said. “And they're so willing to give all their knowledge, and that's been the best part.”
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Drake Stoops says NFL 2-game suspension is due to testing for Adderall
Continue reading...
