MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Vikings released running back Onterrio Smith on Wednesday after he was suspended by the NFL for the entire 2005 season for a substance abuse violation..
“We’ve decided to terminate Onterrio Smith’s contract ahead of this weekend’s college draft,” head coach Brad Childress said in a statement issued by the team. “We wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Smith played for the Vikings during the 2003 and 2004 seasons before he was suspended. The one-year suspension, which expires June 7, came weeks after he was caught at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with several vials of dried urine and “The Original Whizzinator,” which is marketed as a way to beat drug tests.
It was his third violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
In two seasons, he started nine games and rushed for a total of 1.123 yards, a 4.9 average and seven touchdowns.
AP-ES-04-26-06 1738EDT
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