Scott Campbell
04-26-2006, 05:27 PM
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings released suspended running back Onterrio Smith on Wednesday.
A reason for Smith's release was not provided in a statement from the team. However, he will not be reinstated from a substance-abuse suspension in June, a source close to Smith told the St. Paul Pioneer Press for a story on Wednesday.
"We've decided to terminate Onterrio Smith's contract ahead of this weekend's college draft," head coach Brad Childress said in the statement. "We wish him well in his future endeavors."
Smith played for the Vikings during the 2003 and 2004 seasons but was suspended by the NFL last season for substance abuse. He was given the one-year suspension weeks after he was caught at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with several vials of dried urine and "The Original Whizzinator," which is marketed as a way to beat drug tests.
It was his third violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Smith's one-year suspension doesn't expire until June 7.
Smith's agent, Doug Hendrickson, didn't immediately return messages left Wednesday by The Associated Press.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A reason for Smith's release was not provided in a statement from the team. However, he will not be reinstated from a substance-abuse suspension in June, a source close to Smith told the St. Paul Pioneer Press for a story on Wednesday.
"We've decided to terminate Onterrio Smith's contract ahead of this weekend's college draft," head coach Brad Childress said in the statement. "We wish him well in his future endeavors."
Smith played for the Vikings during the 2003 and 2004 seasons but was suspended by the NFL last season for substance abuse. He was given the one-year suspension weeks after he was caught at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with several vials of dried urine and "The Original Whizzinator," which is marketed as a way to beat drug tests.
It was his third violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Smith's one-year suspension doesn't expire until June 7.
Smith's agent, Doug Hendrickson, didn't immediately return messages left Wednesday by The Associated Press.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.