Family of Ohio State’s Noah Spence says he was suspended for ecstasy
Noah Spence's family says that the Ohio State defensive end didn't make the trip with the Buckeyes to the Orange Bowl because of a positive test for ecstasy.
Per ABC 27 in Harrisburg, Penn., Spence's father said he tested positive for a small amount of ecstasy that his family says came from an open drink at a party.
It's standard procedure for every player to get tested prior to the Big 10 championship game, and Spence's family says he was shocked when his drug test came back positive.
The family says Spence unintentionally took the drug when he was given an open drink by people he didn't know at a party.
Spence's father also said that because of the Big Ten's drug testing policy, Spence was initially suspended for a season, but it was reduced upon appeal. When Spence's suspension was announced for what Ohio State termed a "violation of a Big Ten rule," the suspension was three games.
According to the NCAA, ecstasy is classified as a stimulant.
"Spence's parents, who did not agree with the rule violation nor the penalty imposed, were assisted by the Ohio State Department of Athletics in exhausting the appeals process that was available to them with the Big Ten," part of the statement said.
According to the report, Spence's family says they are also planning to sue the Big Ten.
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