Dwayne Bowe: Chiefs star reciever susepnded 1 game for drug use; NFL looks into stricter penalties for domestic violence

By Robert Christie - 15 Aug '14 17:55PM

At a time when NFL suspensions are a hot topic surrounding the league, another star will miss a game due to a positive drug test.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe has been handed a one-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, according to the NFL website. He will be able to play the rest of the Chief's preseason games but will miss the first game of the season against the Tennessee Titans. That is a home game for the Chiefs and will take place Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. ET.

"I am extremely sorry that I can't be on the field for the first game of the 2014 season because I made an error in judgment," Bowe said through a statement. "I take responsibility for my mistake, and it will not happen again. I hope that my teammates, coaches and Chiefs fans accept my sincere apology.

"I will be supporting my teammates in Week 1, and I cannot wait to get back on the field to help us win in Week 2 and beyond as we work towards our goal of winning the Super Bowl."

This isn't the only news concerning suspensions to come out in the past few days. According to the Washington Post, the NFL is looking into stricter suspensions and penalties concerning domestic violence.

Following Ray Rice's two-game suspension for allegedly beating his then-fiancée, and current wife, Janay Palmer, many feel the suspension was too light. One of the arguments against the Rice suspension has been its comparison to suspensions that have been handed out for violating the league's substance abuse policy. (i.e. Josh Gordon could face a year-long suspension for repeated marijuana use and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick received a four-game suspension for the use of MDMA also known as "Molly")

Per the Post, citing sources with the knowledge of the league's talks about creating stronger penalties, the NFL is looking into 4-6 game suspensions, without pay, and yearlong suspensions. The former would be for first time offenders and the latter would be for second time offenders in cases of domestic violence.

"We need to have stricter penalties," said a source with knowledge of the NFL's discussion on the issue, according to the Post. "I think you will see that. I believe [NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell] and others would like to see stricter penalties. We need to be more vigilant."