Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle D.J. Reader turns 28 years old today, July 1.
The former Clemson standout joined the Bengals in 2020 after playing four seasons with the Houston Texans.
He signed a four-year, $53 million deal to play for Cincinnati but suited up for only five games in 2020.
However, the North Carolina native bounced back by playing 15 games last season, finishing with 43 total tackles and two sacks.
Unfortunately, the NFL gave him an unwelcome surprise during his special day.
Reader tweeted, “Nothing like the good ole NFL PED test on ya birthday. Just how I want to start my day with a dude looking at me pee…”
While it is a shocking start to his birthday, the NFL’s testing for performance-enhancing drugs is random.
Odell Beckham Jr. got one after helping the Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl LVI over the Bengals.
That Reader is fulfilling an uncomfortable league policy on his birthday is purely coincidence.
This exercise will make this day memorable.
But he has nothing to be afraid of if he has nothing to hide.
Is The NFL Testing Policy Really Random?
There’s a prevailing thought that the league tests players for PEDs after exemplary performances.
Beckham’s case adds to that theory, and so does what happened to Pat McAfee after throwing a hard tackle on a punt returner.
It’s hard to prove if the league is operating that way.
But what we know is that they are hoping to test everyone randomly, even if they are spending time overseas.
The NFL uses the player’s urine samples to determine if they are using banned substances like anabolic steroids.
Those in violation of this policy may get a suspension from six games to two years, depending on how many time they have failed the test.
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