Browns WR Antonio Callaway owns up to failed drug test

Kirstie Chiappelli

Browns WR Antonio Callaway owns up to failed drug test image

Antonio Callaway isn't making any excuses.

The Browns' rookie wide receiver reiterated that his failed drug test was the result of a dilute sample, but took responsibility for his actions and said he is working on moving forward from his troubled past.

"I had a diluted sample," Callaway said at the team's rookie minicamp on Saturday, via ESPN. "I didn't intentionally do it, but I take responsibility for my test. That was a wake-up call, but like I've said, day by day I'm still getting better as a person, as a player, as a man, as a father. I've got a daughter. She's going to be 3 months old next week."

Callaway, who was cited for marijuana possession earlier this year, missed the 2017 season after allegations of credit card fraud and was suspended in 2016 amid sexual battery allegations. He was later found not responsible of sexually assaulting a female student in December 2015.

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His stock at this year's draft dropped further after he tested positive for marijuana at the combine earlier this year. Despite his string of off-field incidents, Callaway claimed he has learned many valuable lessons.

"I was young, that's all. Immature," Callaway said of his list of transgressions. "I was just living in the moment. I knew I had to grow and learn from my mistakes. When I got suspended, I didn't think it would cost me the NFL. I just knew that it would hurt. Because I know my talent. I'm pretty good at football.

"It's hard, where I'm from. It's hard. The worst of the worst. Killings, drugs, you name it, I've seen it, and at a young age. Growing up, I said I didn't want that life, so I just stuck with football."

Callaway, 21, was selected out of Florida by Cleveland in the fourth round of last week's draft. He caught 89 passes for 1,399 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons with the Gators.

Kirstie Chiappelli