Free agent safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. was suspended for six games by the NFL on Tuesday after violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
The suspension will not take effect until the regular season, if and when Gipson signs with a team after he was fired by the San Francisco 49ers at the end of last season.
The 2014 Pro Bowler — which he earned while playing for the Cleveland Browns — will still be allowed to participate in all pre-season activities, including games, if he finds a team.
The 33-year-old, who reportedly considered retirement, started all 33 games he played in for the 49ers over the past two seasons, making 121 tackles and six interceptions.
In 12 NFL seasons, Gipson has 684 tackles, 33 interceptions and three touchdowns in 173 games (165 as a starter) for the Browns (2012-15), Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-18), Houston Texans (2019), Chicago Bears (2020-21) and 49ers after going undrafted out of Wyoming.
Tashaun Gibson, pictured playing soccer with his children, has been suspended for PED use
Gipson is currently a free agent after being released by the San Francisco 49ers this year
Last season, he went viral after criticizing Patrick Mahomes’ playing skills while sitting on the sidelines of a game with a microphone.
In the clip, Gipson can be seen telling his teammates, “Pat’s just a regular QB bro, he’s a regular bro, and we’re just going to make his ass look regular. Keep doing that.”
Despite trailing at halftime, Mahomes ultimately led the Chiefs to a 25-22 overtime victory to secure their second straight title.
During his speech at the Chiefs parade, the QB addressed the crowd and was interrupted by his wife Brittany, who reminded him that he is “a real quarterback.”
Mahomes then added, “I’m a regular quarterback, it is what it is. I gotta give that defense a shoutout. Can I hear it on behalf of the defense?
Gipson reached the Super Bowl with the 49ers — and is a former Pro Bowler with the Browns
Safety Gipson called Patrick Mahomes a ‘regular f****ng quarterback’ in the Super Bowl
“It’s crazy, a defense can win the Super Bowl and still be underrated, and that’s what those guys did. Can I get a shoutout for Harrison Butker? Can I get a shoutout for Tommy Townsend? Can I get a shoutout for James Winchester?”
“Nobody’s ever done it, and we knew it’s legendary to win back-to-back,” Mahomes added. “I think eight other teams have done it. We’d heard it all week.
“We had talked to the guys about it and we felt like this was the best opportunity ever to do that.
“We have to keep playing our best football. We’re going to celebrate in the coming weeks and then we’ll get back to it.”