Oct 12, 2015 3 min read

SAN DIEGO – It’s always interesting to see contrasts in the sporting world.

There was no bigger contrast on display Monday night than the way the Steelers and San Diego Chargers treated a pair of players returning from drug suspensions.

The Steelers all last week downplayed wide receiver Martavis Bryant’s return from a four-game suspension for violation of the league’s drug policy. They barely talked about his return.

And, after practicing last Monday, Bryant did not do so again the rest of the week after suffering a minor knee ailment.

Bryant likely could have played but Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin chose to hold him out since he had practiced only once in more than a month.

On the other hand, San Diego tight end Antonio Gates also was returning from a four-game suspension, though his was enforced for a positive test of performance-enhancing drugs.

Gates not only played Monday night, he was featured on the team’s program with a large photo and the proclamation, “He’s Back!”

He certainly was.

The Chargers not only welcomed Gates back with open arms, they featured him against the Steelers.

He caught the ball on San Diego’s first two offensive plays. He then finished off San Diego’s opening possession with a 12-yard touchdown catch.

Sure, Gates is a proven veteran. Sure, he’s a likely first-ballot Hall of Fame player. Heck, his touchdown catch in the first quarter was the 100th of his career. Not bad for a former college basketball player.

He’s earned a great deal of respect during his 13-year NFL career. He’s had the kind of career that Bryant can only hope to achieve.

At the same time, the Chargers were celebrating the return of a cheater.

Gates was caught using a PED. He cheated. And you have to wonder if he wasn’t cheating his entire career.

At this point, it’s something we’ll never really know, just like we won’t ever know if Bryant can stay free of drugs for the remainder of his career.

Sure, you can make the distinction between a player using a drug such as marijuana, as was the case with Bryant, and one using a PED. But in the league’s eyes, what Gates did was more serious, hence his automatic four-game suspension for the first offense while Bryant didn’t trigger a suspension until his third positive tests.

Apparently, in the eyes of many fans, the use of PEDs are worth a wink and a nod. After all, you’re just trying to better yourself for the team.

Bryant, meanwhile, is something of a pariah for his drug use because it’s viewed as something selfish. He’s been called all kinds of names by Steelers fans – though they’ll certainly welcome him back.

While the drug use by both players eventually led to them being suspended for four games, Bryant’s drug use is just viewed differently, even though society’s feelings about marijuana use are changing dramatically.

Maybe 13 years into his career there will be a celebration for Bryant such as the one the Chargers had for Gates Monday night.

The Steelers and Bryant can only hope that is the case.

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.