The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) last Thursday and will hold a mandatory minicamp from Tuesday, June 11, to Thursday, June 13. After minicamp, they’ll get a month and a half free before training camp starts.
Minicamp, unlike OTAs, is required, and failure to attend without an excused absence results in a significant fine.
The Buccaneers’ free agent acquisition missed the start of minicamp.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ free-agent acquisition missed the opening of obligatory minicamp.
Randy Gregory will be fined $16,953 for missing the first day of mandatory minicamp without an excuse. If he continues to skip minicamp, he will face fines of $33,908 for Day 2 and $50,855 for Day 3. He will be fined $101,716 if he misses all three days.
The reason for missing minicamp has not been revealed, although his current lawsuit against the NFL could be the reason.
Randy Gregory has sued the NFL for discrimination.
Gregory is suing the NFL for discrimination after the league penalized him over $500,000 for taking THC to treat his impairments, social anxiety disorder, and PTSD. The lawsuit complaint is discussed in detail on Pro Football Talk.
“Mr. Gregory requested an accommodation from the NFL and Broncos to consume Dronabinol to treat his disabilities,” according to the lawsuit complaint. “Specifically, Mr. Gregory wished to take Dronabinol, a synthetic cannabis, on the advice of his treating physician during non-work hours. The NFL and the Broncos declined his plea, citing THC as a federally prohibited narcotic. Since requesting an accommodation, Mr. Gregory has paid the NFL $532,500 in penalties for using THC to treat his disabilities. Regardless of whether his test results are positive, Mr. Gregory is expected to participate in every game, attend practice, media meetings, and fulfill his work responsibilities. In other words, he cannot be suspended based solely on a positive test. The NFL and the Broncos benefited greatly from Mr. Gregory’s continued employment.
Their head coach reacted to his decision to skip minicamp.
Todd Bowles’ reaction to Randy Gregory missing the mandated minicamp
“It’s unexcused, and we’ll deal with it,” Bowles added. “It’s disappointing when anybody’s not here, but it’s minicamp and we’ll deal with it, and go accordingly.”
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