Getty Image / Scott Taetsch
In a joint statement on Friday, the NFL and NFLPA announced that former Washington Commanders athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion would be suspended for a year. The suspension is immediate and he is invited to reapply for reinstatement after a year. This caps off a week of high-profile suspensions for the NFL.
This came after Ryan Vermillion entered into a ‘deferred prosecution agreement’ with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. And it stems from Mr. Vermillion, the former Commanders athletic trainer, providing players with painkillers (controlled substances) ‘on a number of occasions’ without a prescription.
The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero shared a portion of the NFL and NFLPA’s joint statement:
NFL Suspends Former Washington Trainer For 1 Year And Launches Investigation
The NFL has suspended former Washington athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion indefinitely and launched a joint investigation with the NFLPA. pic.twitter.com/5V8eEAySzh
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 19, 2022
And here’s an immediate statement from Ron Rivera:
Statement from Ron Rivera on Ryan Vermillion: pic.twitter.com/kaJiQy5YAj
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 19, 2022
This 1-year suspension for providing players with painkillers without prescriptions comes on the same week that Deshaun Watson was handed just an 11-game suspension and $5M fine after he was accused of sexual assault by over 20 women. Fans were quick to point out that Deshaun Watson’s suspension was for considerably less time…
Fans Compare Ryan Vermillion’s NFL Suspension To Deshaun Watson’s
He getting suspended longer than watson???
— Greg Roman needs to go (@LiamBeer15) August 19, 2022
Watson should have been suspended for much longer but if you know the Tyler Skaggs story you will know that this suspension is justified and he should never work for another team again.
— Edward Mieses 🇩🇴🇬🇹 (@edwardmieses) August 19, 2022
Damn should have SA'ed 20+ women on the side he would still have his job
— Devilsummoner (@Dev1lsummoner) August 19, 2022
And yet watson only got a 11 game suspension. Nfl needs to get there priority straight.
— Hmmm (@BearsFa48541406) August 19, 2022
It seems safe to assume every suspension from now until the end of time will be compared to Deshaun Watson’s, not just this 1-year ban for Ryan Vermillion. And it’s absolutely worth noting that he isn’t automatically granted reinstatement after a year, he’s just eligible to reapply after a year.
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Even the NFL’s own website isn’t all that thrilled with the extent of Deshaun Watson’s punishment. https://t.co/mocCtCZtpK
— BroBible (@BroBible) August 19, 2022