Manley, Tagliabue Meet Following Report Player Failed 3rd Drug Test

Washington Redskins defensive end Dexter Manley, apparently facing possible lifetime banishment from the NFL after reportedly failing a drug test for the third time, met today with Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

The NFL confirmed that its substance abuse policy was discussed but would not confirm that Manley had flunked a drug test.

Manley went into the meeting at Tagliabue’s law office with his agent and attorney, Bob Woolf. As they entered the meeting, none of the men would confirm reports in the Washington Post that Manley had tested positive for cocaine about two weeks ago.

Today’s editions of the Post say Manley was told by team doctors Thursday afternoon that he tested positive.

“Commissioner Paul Tagliabue met for approximately 90 minutes” with Manley and Woolf, the NFL said in a statement released in New York. “The commissioner will promptly review various aspects of the matters that he discussed with Manley and his attorney and expects to make a decision no later than tomorrow.”

Joe Browne, NFL director of communications, confirmed that the discussion involved the league’s substance abuse policy but would be no more specific.

“It’s a private meeting,” Browne said.

In 1987, Manley underwent treatment for drug abuse at the Hazelden Foundation in Minnesota. He tested positive for cocaine in July, 1988, and received a 30-day suspension from then-Commissioner Pete Rozelle.

In the latest incident, Manley reportedly tested positive for cocaine following the Redskins’ 37-24 loss to the Raiders in Los Angeles on Oct. 29. Manley missed two scheduled television appearances and two other appointments in the two days after that game.

That week he was tested twice, and the positive result would likely be considered his third offense, which would bring a permanent ban. However, under the NFL’s drug abuse guidelines, a third-time offender could apply for readmission after a year.

Running backs Stanley Wilson and Tony Collins have been banned as third-time offenders. Wilson, who was with the Cincinnati Bengals, was suspended earlier this year when he violated the league’s drug abuse policy on the eve of the Bengals’ appearance in the Super Bowl. Collins, who played for the New England Patriots, was suspended in September, 1988, when he was trying to win a place with the Indianapolis Colts.

Manley denied to comment to the newspaper, and Woolf was unavailable.

Manley, 32, leads the Redskins in sacks with nine. His best season was in 1986 when he had 18 sacks and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl for the only time in his career.