Former World Wrestling Entertainment heavyweight champion Roman Reigns was suspended Tuesday by the company for violating its talent wellness policy.
Reigns, real name Joe Anoa'i, issued a statement on Twitter: "I apologize to my family, friends and fans for my mistake in violating WWE's wellness policy. No excuses. I own it.
The suspension will be for 30 days. Reigns, 31 years old, has been the comany's lead star in the last year - main eventing its last two Wrestlemania events, this year's breaking the record for the largest crowd in company history. With many of the company's top stars aging, Reigns was a favorite of management to be the new face of the company, with the company giving him a large and high profile rise to the top of the card and multiple world title reigns since last year.
Anoa'i was a star football player in high school in Florida and played defensive for Georgia Tech and was a teammate of star NFL receiver Calvin Johnson. Anoa'i was a three-year starter and was named first-team All-ACC in 2006 when he recorded 29 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.
He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings in 2007 after going undrafted. He was later released, signed shortly with the Jacksonville Jaguars before playing one season in the Canadian Football League.
Anoa'i was WWE champion until Sunday, where he was booked to lose the title. He wrestled on Monday's episode of WWE's flagship show Raw in the main event for a spot on the next PPV. No word if the company took the title off Reigns for violating the policy.
He's the highest-profile wrestler to be suspended by WWE for violating the wellness policy.
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