Judge Blocks Suspensions Of Kevin And Pat Williams
POSTED: Thursday, July 9, 2009
Minneapolis, MN -- (Sports Network) - A Minnesota judge blocked the doping suspensions handed down by the NFL to Minnesota Vikings linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, meaning they'll be able to play until the case is resolved.
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson, in a 15-page ruling, set a temporary restraining order so that the two can play while the lawsuit over their claimed inadvertent use of a banned substance moves ahead. Also, the NFL cannot step up the level of testing against them during the case.
Larson set a hearing for July 22 and the league cannot suspend the two players until the case is decided.
Just last month, U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson ruled the NFL didn't violate the collective bargaining agreement by suspending the players for unknowingly taking a banned substance.