Colts' Robert Mathis to teammates: 'Don't take the sport you play for granted'
As part of his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drugs policy, Indianapolis Colts linebacker Robert Mathis is prohibited from entering team facilities or having contact with anyone involved with the team.
Mathis' suspension took effect Saturday at 4 p.m., but before then, he left this message for teammates in his locker:
Athletes: Don't take the sport you play for granted. Every time you play, you better be damn thankful that you got to do something you love. Don't show up to practice complaining about not wanting to be there; you're there hopefully because you love it. Work hard every moment. If you're not working hard, you don't deserve to play. Play every practice or game like it's your last because it very well could be. When you finally reach the day that you can't play, and you can only watch, then you will know how much you love something that you once took for granted.
Picture sitting in Robert Mathis' locker Monday. Mathis is serving a four game suspension for violating PED policy. pic.twitter.com/MbOgbckj0X
— Tom James (@TribStarTJames) September 1, 2014
As for how he plans to spend the next four weeks, Mathis provided this hint:
Sign sitting in Robert Mathis' locker Monday. Mathis began serving his four game suspension on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/zGzqUfPkrj
— Tom James (@TribStarTJames) September 1, 2014