Suspended NFL safety claims his offseason supplements were contaminated

Veteran NFL safety Tashaun Gipson is not accepting his six-game suspension from the league for performance-enhancing drugs without telling his side of the story.

Gipson, 33, released a statement Monday protesting his innocence of ever taking performance-enhancing drugs after the league decided to suspend the 12-year veteran in the offseason, but did not provide any further insight into Gipson’s case.

The former Pro Bowl player defended himself on social media. According to the former 49ers safety, Gipson naively took a contaminated nutritional supplement that violated the NFL’s guidelines on performance-enhancing substances.

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 28: Tashaun Gipson Sr. #31 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after the NFL’s NFC Championship game against the Detroit Lions at Levi’s Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Gipson wrote: “I took a nutritional supplement one time during the offseason that I thought was completely safe and in line with NFL guidelines. At no point did it have anything to do with performance, training or gaining any kind of advantage. I have competed at this level for a long time and have nothing but respect for the game and the community of players in it.

“The NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances is clear and I take full responsibility for everything I put into my body,” he wrote. “It is with great disappointment that I accept this suspension and I do so knowing that I never even attempted to cheat the game.”

“I’m excited to return for my 13th NFL season and help a team compete for a championship.”

READ: NFL veteran safety Tashaun Gipson suspended for performance-enhancing drugs

Gipson, currently a free agent, seems determined to return for another season after playing for San Francisco in Super Bowl LVIII. The undrafted player developed into a ball-hunter on defense with the Browns from 2012-15. Gipson made a Pro Bowl appearance in 2016. That season, Gipson recorded a career-high 52 tackles, eight pass deflections, one touchdown, one forced fumble, one pick-6 and six interceptions.

During his career, Gipson played for SF, Chicago, Houston, Jacksonville and Cleveland. Gipson recorded 684 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 33 interceptions and three touchdowns in 173 regular season games.

HENDERSON, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 06: Tashaun Gipson of the San Francisco 49ers speaks to the media during the San Francisco 49ers media availability prior to Super Bowl LVIII at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa on February 6, 2024 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

Follow us on X: @Subscribe to

Send us your opinion: [email protected]