A wild backup quarterback comeback was curiously met with a random drug screening summons in Ohio shortly after an overtime victory.
The push for the NFL playoffs demanded an extra effort from the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday after they entered the fourth quarter down 17-3 to the Minnesota Vikings. While many congratulated backup quarterback Jake Browning for rallying back from struggles throughout the game to help lead his team to victory, one postgame message appeared conspicuously timed.
Shared on his Instagram story, Browning displayed a screenshot of a message sent to him moments after an overtime field goal moved his team into the sixth spot in the AFC as well as keeping them in contention for the playoffs.
“This is Joe, DCO on behalf of the NFL,” the brief message sent at 4:34 p.m. began. “You’re on my list for a urine steroid test tomorrow. I will be in the testing area from 9:30-12:30. Please confirm receiving this.”
MAN, Jake Browning’s performance seemed too good to be true.
(: @jake_browning) pic.twitter.com/VD1s76hEN0
— theScore (@theScore) December 16, 2023
Though the timing appeared suspicious to many, the NFL’s policy on annual testing for performance-enhancing substances detailed the manner in which players would be contacted during the season in line with Browning’s post:
“The evening prior to testing the Drug Free Sport Collector will notify you via text message of your scheduled drug testing time. The collector will contact you using the cell phone number you have listed as My Cell Phone on the NFL Drug Policies Contact Information website…Please confirm your number is correct and if your number changes, be sure to update it immediately. Failure to appear for testing at the scheduled time due to an incorrect My Cell Phone number in the NFL Policies Contact Information Website is considered a lack of cooperation with testing and will be handled in accordance with the Policy.”
Additionally, the Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse agreed upon by the NFL Players Association and the NFL Management Council stipulated, “An NFL Club and a Player may agree that the Player will submit to unannounced testing during the term of his NFL Contract, provided that the Club has a reasonable basis for requesting testing.”
Filling in for starting quarterback Joe Burrow, sidelined by injury, much of Browning’s stat line was padded in at the end of the game when he went 13-for-19 for 184 yards for two touchdowns bringing his endgame stats to 29-for-42 with 324 yards in the 27-24 overtime victory.
In his postgame press conference, Browning spoke to the personal significance of the win over Minnesota, a team he had been cut from in 2021 and that he considered his worst experience on that front.
“I’ve been cut my fair share of times, but that was probably the sh*tiest one,” he told reporters before recounting a message he had delivered into a camera on the sidelines. “I think right after we made the field goal to win the game I screamed at a camera and said they never should’ve cut me.”
“They never should’ve cut me” Jake Browning had fire in his belly for this one pic.twitter.com/rwlAa5R6yD
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) December 16, 2023
“They never should have cut me.”
Jake Browning said it immediately after Evan McPherson’s game-winning kick.
Although, reading lips, he used a little more colorful language than he described to us. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/zyg49zTAQe
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) December 16, 2023
Meanwhile, challenges to the “random” nature of the drug screening rolled in on social media.
No way this was “random”
— Sports Talk ⚾️ (@SportsTalk9930) December 16, 2023
You play good ,u become a suspect
— Eddie (@kameidotrading) December 16, 2023
Great timing. Jake you’re winning, people are jealous. Keep it up I love https://t.co/WHnZsNQyg6 year you can be starter anywhere.
— john oakes (@norfjohn) December 17, 2023
NFL said pic.twitter.com/Uo1u4B5Tjy
— GB Football (@GameBlazersFF) December 16, 2023
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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