NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes was suspended on Monday for violating the National Football League's substance abuse policy, overshadowing the announcement that he had also been traded to the New York Jets.
The wide receiver, who caught the game-winning touchdown pass when Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl in 2009, will miss New York's first four regular-season games in 2010, the NFL said, though he can attend training camp and play in pre-season games.
Pittsburgh had earlier confirmed reports that it sent the 26-year-old wide receiver to the Jets in exchange for a fifth-round pick in this month's draft.
"We believe the move is in the best interests of the Pittsburgh Steelers," team official Kevin Colbert said in a statement.
Holmes has 235 catches for 3,835 yards and 20 touchdowns over a four-season career spent in Pittsburgh. He is coming off his best season after making 79 receptions for 1,248 yards and five touchdowns last season.
The deal is the latest high-profile acquisition for the Jets, who have already traded for cornerback Antonio Cromartie and signed running back LaDainian Tomlinson, kicker Nick Folk and safety Brodney Pool.
(Writing by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
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