nbcsports
Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat spoke publicly on Tuesday for the first time since his two-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy concluded. The suspension ended after the team's victory over the New England Patriots last Thursday, and Sweat returned to the facility to discuss his absence.
Sweat admitted that learning of the suspension came as a shock, but he chose not to elaborate on the specifics of the violation. Instead, he accepted full accountability for his actions. "It's definitely something I got to live with for my career," Sweat said, per Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com. "I never want to cheat the game, and I would never do it intentionally, but what happened, happened and I'm moving forward."
The defensive end described the experience of missing games as devastating, particularly because he felt he had let down the organization. He acknowledged the difficulty of facing head coach Ben Johnson after what he termed a detrimental act to the team. Nevertheless, Sweat reiterated his determination to put the suspension behind him and focus on contributing going forward.
Key Analysis
Sweat's return comes at a crucial time for the Bears' defense. In the first five games of the season, he recorded two sacks, and increasing that total will be essential for both his personal redemption and the team's success. His ability to move past the suspension and perform at a high level will likely determine how quickly the organization and fans can do the same.
Originally reported by nbcsports.