Merriman drops appeal

Tuesday, Oct 31, 2006
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

Linebacker Shawne Merriman said all along that he wanted to do what was best for his team.  On Tuesday afternoon, he decided that would be to drop his appeal of a four-game suspension and begin serving it this week.

“We’re proud of the stand-up way Shawne has taken responsibility for the mistake he made,” the team said in an official statement released Tuesday.  “We have faith in Shawne Merriman and we have faith in the players on this team.  The Chargers have been resilient all season long, and we will continue to be resilient.  It’s a tough lesson learned for Shawne about the world of supplements.  The entire Chargers family will welcome Shawne back when he returns to the team on November 27.”

In addition to this week’s game against the Cleveland Browns, Merriman will miss the Chargers’ Nov. 12 contest at Cincinnati, the Nov. 19 game at Denver and he will be out of the lineup on Nov. 26 when the Bolts host the Raiders.  His first game back will be Dec. 3 when the team travels to Buffalo to face the Bills.

Under league rules, Merriman will not be permitted at the team’s facility or functions during the suspension.  He did reach an agreement with the NFL that will allow him to address his teammates Wednesday morning.