Favre Appeals His Drug-Abuse Status

Green Bay Packer quarterback Brett Favre is appealing his status in the NFL’s substance-abuse program, claiming he should not have to abstain from alcohol, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported.

Favre said he came forward with his addiction to painkillers voluntarily, so he should not be subject to the league’s stringent aftercare program.

Favre spent 46 days at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kan., last summer after acknowledging he was addicted to Vicodin.

Because Favre is “behavioral-referred” to the league’s substance-abuse program, the NFL requires him to subject himself to up to 10 random drug tests each week and that he abstain from alcohol for two years.

If he were reclassified as self-referred, the league would offer its assistance, but the Packers would conduct his rehabilitation. And Favre could drink alcohol if he wanted.

“This isn’t about being able to drink,” Favre told the Press-Gazette. “I haven’t touched a drop [of alcohol] in five months, so that’s not a problem. This is about me regaining my freedom.”

When Favre announced his addiction May 14, the team’s news release stated he “voluntarily” entered the league’s substance abuse program. But Favre now says he was forced into rehab because the alternative was a $970,588 fine.

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Dallas Cowboy defensive end Charles Haley’s chronic back problem is deteriorating, and his doctor has advised him not to play for three weeks so he can follow a rehabilitation program designed to strengthen and stabilize his back.

Cowboy Coach Barry Switzer told the Dallas Morning News that Haley is upset about not being able to play.

“Charles is hurt, and he’s emotionally depressed,” Switzer said. “I think Haley feels like people don’t believe he’s hurt. The guy has paid a price for playing this game, and he has to deal with it every day.”

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The Arizona Cardinals, looking for strength at right cornerback, signed D.J. Johnson to a one-year contract, at the same time waiving defensive back Ben Smith.

A seventh-round pick by Pittsburgh in the 1989 draft, Johnson, 30, has started 90 of 94 games since his rookie year. He has 431 career tackles and 19 interceptions.

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The New Orleans Saints plan to start Ray Zellars at tailback Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

“We’ve been struggling in the running game recently, and the coaches have said they want me to get in there a little more of the time because I’ve been pretty productive when I’ve been in there,” Zellars said. “They’re trying to get me ready.”