NFL loses again, can't suspend Vikings players after 7 months in court

July 9, 11:02 AMSports ExaminerPaula Duffy

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The time between the first publicity of the proposed suspension of Kevin and Pat Williams and this latest court ruling is almost seven months. Talk about legal wrangling, man oh man.

The defensive starters on the Vikings were among a group of players who tested positive for a substance on the NFL's banned list and faced the standard four-game suspension. Original story, here

They successfully got a state court to give them a stay of execution to enable them to play for the Vikings at season's end as well as in their playoff game. Then the NFL engaged the players in a full court press of legal action that was transferred to federal court. The result of that maneuver can be seen, here.

The matter got booted back to Minnesota and the judge that granted the original restraining order against the NFL. He has granted the players the same relief again.

The NFL is working on all fronts to force the courts to allow it to discipline its players and it looks like they'll be waiting a long while for that to happen.

The Williams' lawyer has hailed this as the latest triumph to allow his clients to present its evidence that the NFL drug policy is fatally flawed when viewed in relation to Minnesota employment law.

                                                            Read our Vikings Examiner, Joe Oberle, here