The NFL has suspended New York Giants backup running back Andre Brown for four games for violating the league policy on performance-enhancing substances.
The 6-foot, 227-pound running back spent last season on the Giants' practice squad. However, he may be best known to fans as the Giant who started the popular "I got a ring!" celebration on the Giants' plane trip home after the Super Bowl. Brown's chant was recorded by a teammate and the video went viral.
The suspension, without pay for the team's first four games of the regular season, comes at a time when the Super Bowl champions had uncertainty surrounding their backfield.
Brandon Jacobs signed with the San Francisco 49ers earlier this week after being released by the Giants prior to the start of free agency when the two sides could not agree to a restructured contract.
With Jacobs' departure, the Giants were left with Ahmad Bradshaw, D.J. Ware, Da'Rel Scott and Brown on the roster. Brown's suspension could force the Giants to sign a veteran running back in free agency or draft a running back in the upcoming draft.
Given Bradshaw's history of foot injuries and the Giants' preference for using a rotation of backs during games, Brown figured to have an opportunity this season to compete for the backup spot behind Bradshaw.
Brown was drafted by the Giants in 2009 in the fourth round out of N.C. State. He missed his entire rookie season after rupturing his Achilles in training camp. He was waived before the 2010 season and had stints with the Broncos, Colts, Panthers and Redskins before returning to the Giants last season.
Ohm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University.
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