National Football League

Report: Zbikowski appealing suspension

Published Apr. 26, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Baltimore Ravens safety Tom Zbikowski will appeal a 45-day suspension handed down by the Chickasaw Nation Boxing Commission for testing positive for marijuana following his latest foray into the ring, The Baltimore Sun reported.

Zbikowski, 25, had apparently tested positive for the drug along with five other participants on Saturday's card at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Okla., but a second test conducted in Chicago came back negative.

The negative result from the "more in-depth test" was sent to the commission on Tuesday, Zbikowski's attorney said, with the player seeking an "expedited" decision.

Zbikowski would likely miss his next two scheduled fights if the suspension is upheld, while he could also face punishment under the NFL's personal conduct policy.

"It was disappointing and disheartening because we had such a great experience down there," Zbikowski's coach and lawyer Mike Joyce told the Chicago Sun-Times. "But we're confident we will get this resolved this week."

Joyce said earlier he had never seen testing similar to the one conducted prior to Zbikowski's fight.

"They had you pee in a cup and put a strip of something in there. I've never seen results where you get them the day of the fight," Joyce said. "It was like a home pregnancy test or something."

Joyce added that Zbikowski has "taken all sorts of tests for the NFL and he's never tested positive ... ever."

Zbikowski wasted little time Saturday improving his professional boxing record to 4-0 with a first-round technical knockout of Blake Warner. The Ravens safety needed just two minutes and 20 seconds before the referee halted the fight after Warner left himself open to a right uppercut following an onslaught to the body.

Zbikowski, who is a restricted free agent, has been able to box because the NFL lockout has prohibited him from completing a new contract with the Ravens. The safety-turned-pugilist is reportedly looking to sign a deal that would allow him to continue his offseason pursuits in the ring.