The Dallas Cowboys certainly aren't the only ones supporting Randy Gregory as the talented defensive end deals with the fallout of another suspension by the NFL. During Fox Sports 1's “First Things First” on Wednesday, Hall-of-Fame receiver Cris Carter not only said he's tried to help Gregory over the years, but went out of his way to tell the 26-year-old he's always just one call away.
“It's unfortunate for him,” Carter said of Gregory's suspension, per TMZ. “He's one of a number of guys through the years I've tried to help.
“[I've] tried to give him the power through rehab, through the system of [Alcoholics Anonymous], through going to meetings. The system has worked for me for almost 30 years,” he continued. “He's struggled like a lot of other talented players have struggled with the disease. I wish people would look at [addiction] like cancer and if your cancer came back what would you do?”
“Randy Gregory, call me, man. Anybody out there, call me…because I still got feelings for you.”
Reports surfaced on Monday that Gregory was facing a lengthy suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy and breaking the conditions of his re-instatement. Considering his history, it seems likely Gregory is suspended for most if not all of the 2019 season.
Playing in 14 games last season, the 2015 second-round pick had 25 tackles, six sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 15 quarterback hits, emerging as Dallas’ most disruptive defensive lineman other than Pro Powl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. It was an especially encouraging performance considering Gregory had missed most of the previous two seasons due to multiple violations of the substance abuse policy.