The Worst Suspensions in Sports History

Major League Baseball threw the book at Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer for violating the league’s domestic iolence and sexual assault policy, suspending him for two years in April 2022. Bauer has not played since June 2021, when a San Diego woman came forward with assault allegations against the right-hander. Bauer was placed on paid administrative leave by the league the following month. Any suspension under the domestic violence policy would mean Bauer would not get compensation. Bauer has always denied the allegations.

Phoenix Suns forward Richard Dumas missed two full seasons, 1991-92 and 1993-94, for violating the NBA’s substance abuse policy. Dumas said he first tried crack in high school and was using drugs at Oklahoma State University. He admitted he had anxiety before NBA games, to the point where he needed to drink a six-pack of beer before each one. After his playing days were over, Dumas said he was diagnosed with manic bipolar depression with social anxiety disorder.

Pitcher Steve Howe was a rookie of the year, an All-Star, and a World Series champion – and also an addict. During a 12-year career where he pitched for four different teams, Howe was suspended seven times by his employers and Major League Baseball because of abusing alcohol and cocaine. Howe died in a car accident in 2006, after which an autopsy revealed the presence of methamphetamine in his body.

Michael Vick, a four-time Pro Bowler, was an extraordinarily talented quarterback who shocked the sports world and beyond in 2007 because of his involvement in illegal dogfighting. He was found guilty of funding and operating the activity and was sentenced to two years in federal prison. The NFL also rebuked Vick for associating with known gamblers. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told Vick in a letter that he had “engaged in conduct detrimental to the welfare of the NFL and violated the league’s personal conduct policy.” Vick served jail time and eventually returned to the NFL in 2009 and played for three teams.

Randy Gregory was an integral part of the Dallas Cowboys’ defense for five years. But for some of that time Gregory was suspended because he violated the collective bargaining agreement policies regarding marijuana, which Gregory said he used to self-medicate to battle anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. The new CBA in 2020, Gregory was allowed to return from suspension. Gregory eschewed a contract from the Cowboys and signed a five-year, $70 million contract in March with the Denver Broncos.