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Edmonton Elks draft pick Darien Newell has been given a year-long ban by the CFL for a series of doping infractions.
The Queen’s defensive lineman was Edmonton’s second-round pick in this week’s draft. 
All nine CFL teams were made aware of Newell’s situation before the draft and that he had a hearing pending with an arbitrator on the matter.
The Elks didn’t have a first-round pick Tuesday night but took the six-foot-two, 289-pound Newell with the second selection of the second round, 10th overall. Newell, of Brampton, Ont., was regarded as a blue-chip CFL prospect and was the top-ranked U Sports player on the CFL scouting bureau’s top-20 list released Monday.
“The Edmonton Elks organization was aware of Darien Newell’s impending suspension before selecting him on Tuesday night. Throughout the draft process, we completed our due diligence on Darien and came away satisfied with both the person and the player. The organization is committed to supporting Darien throughout this process, and we look forward to when he can join the Green and Gold,” said Elks Vice-President of Football Operations & General Manager Ed Hervey in a statement released by the team.
According to the CFL, Newell was selected for a random test March 19 while participating in the league’s national combine. His sample tested positive for nine banned substances, including Boldenone, Nandrolone, Drostanolone and Norclostebol, all forms of steroids.
Newell had appealed the positive test and the case was passed on to an independent arbitrator. Newell withdrew his appeal Wednesday, incurring an anti-doping rule violation and one-year sanction.
“I’m incredibly grateful to have been drafted by the Edmonton Elks and given this opportunity to continue chasing my dream at the highest level. During my preparation for the CFL Draft, I was notified by the league that I had tested positive for banned substances. I believe that the substances in question came from products I took while attending my pro day in Buffalo, where I did not have access to my usual supplements. I did not knowingly or intentionally use a product that violated the league’s substance policy. Still, as an athlete, I must take full accountability for everything I put in my body,” Newell said in Edmonton’s statement.
“This experience has taught me how important it is to be diligent and thorough moving forward. I’ve taken steps to ensure this never happens again, and I’m committed to maintaining the highest standard of professionalism as I enter the next chapter of my career. I will accept the league’s ruling and put this incident behind me. I’m thankful to the Edmonton Elks organization for believing in me, and I’m ready to get to work and earn everything that comes next.”
Last season, Newell had 33 tackles (17 solo, eight for loss), five sacks and a forced fumble. He was a perennial All-Canadian, registering 92 tackles (56 solo, 27.5 for loss), 17 sacks and a forced fumble at Queen’s.
— With files from Sportsnet Staff

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