NEW YORK, April 12 (UPI) -- Troubled wide receiver Santonio Holmes, acquired by the New York Jets Monday, has been suspended for four games without pay, NFL officials said.
Holmes will be banned for playing for his new team until Week 5 of next season for allegedly violating the league's substance abuse policy, the league said.
The suspension came only hours after the Jets acquired Holmes from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a fifth-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.
While he has never been the subject of NFL discipline, has he been arrested twice and in 2008 was cited for marijuana possession. Holmes is reportedly under investigation by Orlando, Fla., authorities after being accused of cutting a woman near her eye with a thrown drink.
Holmes was the MVP of Super Bowl XLIII, catching Ben Roethlisberger's winning touchdown pass with 35 seconds left to beat Arizona. Last season he set a career high with 79 receptions, garnering 1,248 yards with five touchdowns.
