Pro Football Athlete Attributes Failed Screening to Fertility Treatment

Nazeeh Johnson, a cornerback for the Tennessee Titans, has attributed his positive test result and subsequent six-game NFL suspension to a fertility medication he was taking in an attempt to start a family with his wife.

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The NFL has suspended Johnson without pay for the first six games of the 2026 regular season, citing a violation of its Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy, with the suspension set to take effect on August 30.

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Despite the suspension, Johnson will be allowed to participate in the Titans' preseason activities and games, providing him with some opportunity to prepare for the season ahead.

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According to a statement Johnson made on X, as reported by BBC Sport on Saturday, he and his wife had been undergoing fertility treatment after discovering he was infertile, and he was unaware that his medication contained a prohibited substance under NFL rules.

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Johnson and his wife recently experienced the loss of their baby, which he described as an extremely difficult time, but they remain hopeful of growing their family, with nine viable eggs remaining from their fertility treatment.

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Johnson used this experience as a warning to fellow NFL players, advising them to exercise caution when taking medications and to seek approval beforehand, saying "Do not put anything in your body without following the process and getting approval beforehand).

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Johnson, 28, joined the Titans in July, having spent his first four NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and part of the team's Super Bowl-winning roster.

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Johnson's suspension will cause him to miss the Titans' first six regular-season games, should he remain on the roster, with his eligibility for reinstatement scheduled for October 19.

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Johnson's wife revealed that the family had appealed the suspension, submitting over 50 documents, but the NFL denied their appeal, adding to the challenges the couple is facing as they strive to have a child.

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The suspension is set against the backdrop of a deeply personal struggle for Johnson and his wife, who continue to navigate their fertility journey amidst this setback.