Wilson, 48, was apparently tied to the same Internet drug scam that netted New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, according to a New York Daily News article on Saturday. Harrison, on Friday, was suspended for the first four games of the season.
Wilson, a journeyman quarterback who played for five teams during his 17-year NFL career, admitted to the league that he received human growth hormone and anabolic steroids while serving as the quarterbacks coach for the Chicago Bears from 2004 to 2006, according to the Daily News. Wilson did not distribute any substances to anyone else, according to a statement released by the NFL on Saturday, which also included statements by Wilson and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
"This situation is the result of an uninformed decision that I made, and I accept responsibility for my mistake," said Wilson in the statement. "My actions were the result of trying to improve the quality of my life based upon my 20-plus years of living with diabetes.
"I did, however, make an error. I had a very limited exposure to a substance. It did not have a positive effect on the quality of my life, and I soon discarded it. It was used only by me and not made available to anyone else.
"Upon learning of the very serious nature of this situation, I cooperated fully and honestly with representatives of the NFL and all of the authorities involved."
Wilson is eligible for reinstatement on October 9.
"We understand and support the commissioner's decision. Wade Wilson accepts responsibility for his mistake in judgment and recognizes the importance of the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policies. After learning of his error, he cooperated fully with all of the parties involved in this matter," said Jones.
"In reviewing the facts, we know that Wade had absolutely no intention of breaking any league rules. He has a long track record of quality service to the NFL and community service to the cities where has played and coached. We recognize and support the importance placed on these matters by the National Football League. We also support Wade Wilson during this time and look forward to his contributions to the future of the Dallas Cowboys," said Jones.
Harrison and Wilson are two of what could be several NFL names connected with the Orlando-based Internet scam, which is being investigated by the Albany County District Attorney, according to the Daily News. Doctors wrote prescriptions for patients they had never seen, and the Orlando pharmacy where those prescriptions were filled was raided by Albany and Florida law enforcement officials in February, according to the story.
