July 19, 2002                

STATEMENT BY AN NFL SPOKESPERSON:

Dale Carter of the New Orleans Saints has been notified that he is suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL Substance Abuse Policy.

Carter previously was suspended for the entire 2000 season for violating the policy.

Under the terms of the program, players who violate the Substance Abuse Policy following a one-year suspension are suspended indefinitely.  The reinstatement of an indefinitely suspended player is determined by Commissioner Tagliabue in consultation with the program’s medical experts.

[Note: The NFL Substance Abuse Policy is posted on nflmedia.com. From the home page, click on "About the NFL" and then "NFL Policies."]