The 34-year-old two-time Pro Bowler has suffered major injuries in each of the last two seasons. In 2005, he tore ligaments in his left knee in the third game, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. He returned last year and played in 10 games, but not in the three playoff games after he sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee in the regular-season finale against Tennessee. Harrison also missed six regular-season games after he fractured his right shoulder blade against Indianapolis.
"I want to make it clear that not once did I ever use steroids," said Harrison. "I did admit to the commissioner that I did in fact use a banned substance. My purpose was never to gain a competitive edge. Rather, my use was solely for accelerating the healing process of injuries I sustained while playing football.
"I haven't made excuses, nor will I make excuses. I made a mistake and I'm very sorry for that. I understand that I'm a role model to high school, to college, to young kids. I don't condone my decision, my behavior. I'm very, very embarrassed by it. I'm disappointed in myself and to any young person, any high schooler, any college athlete, I sent the wrong message with my actions. And I would ask and I would want to be the example for them to never jeopardize what they believe in and never jeopardize their health."
Harrison will miss a quarter of the season: at the New York Jets Sept. 9, vs. San Diego Sept. 16, vs. Buffalo Sept. 23, and at Cincinnati Oct. 1.
"That's the penalty that I have to serve," said Harrison. "I intend to return and do my best to really help this team in any capacity that I can help this team get back to winning a championship."
He apologized to his teammates for being a distraction and asked that they not be bothered with questions about his transgression.
"It's nothing that my teammates were involved in," he said. "I ask at this time for the respect of my teammates not to be violated. This is something that Rodney Harrison did, Rodney Harrison did alone."
