D.J. Williams appeals decision to dismiss NFL suit

Considering Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams wasn't afraid to take on the NFL, it should be no surprise he didn't accept a judge's decision to dismiss his lawsuit against the league.

Williams filed an appeal Friday to the U.S. District Court, District of Colorado's decision to dismiss his lawsuit. His lawsuit was dismissed Thursday by Judge Christine Arguello.

Absent an appeal, Williams would have to begin the 2012 season by serving a six-game suspension for violating the NFL's anabolic steroid and related substances policy.

The league claimed he manipulated his specimen.

Williams, an eight-year starter for the Broncos, sued the NFL — claiming the collector of his sample taken in August 2011 made chain-of-custody mistakes.

The league found Williams in violation of its drug policy because it said he had submitted a "nonhuman" sample to the collector.

Defensive lineman Ryan McBean had joined Williams in the suit against the league, but later accepted a settlement of a three-game suspension. McBean is now with the Baltimore Ravens.

It's been a tough few weeks for Williams. He created a firestorm two weeks ago when he revealed a portion of the Broncos' defensive playbook on his Twitter account.

Williams is facing trial in August on a DUI charge, so it's possible the former first-round draft pick could be facing a longer suspension under the NFL's personal-conduct policy.

Williams, who turns 30 next month, has been a starter all eight seasons since he was drafted by the Broncos in 2004.

If his appeal is denied, the Broncos are expected to open his outside linebacker position to competition between Wesley Woodyard, Nate Irving and rookie Danny Trevathan.


(denverpost.com)