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Embattled former NFL exec hits back at ex-player's claim he contaminated failed drug test as ugly feud escalates

The ex-general manager of the Arizona Cardinals is defending himself against claims from a former All-Pro wide receiver over an alleged contaminated drug test.

Former Cardinals boss Steve Keim says he has retained legal counsel after he was accused by DeAndre Hopkins of contaminating or manipulating a drug test resulting in Hopkins’ six-game suspension in 2022, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov.

Keim traded for Hopkins, who is now an assistant wide receivers coach at Georgia Tech, in the 2020 season. The wide receiver played three seasons with the Cardinals.

In a since-deleted Instagram post, Hopkins claimed: ‘I got set up when I played for his team and lost 13 million. Skeme Slime was my GM, contaminated drug test go figure how that happened,’ per the Arizona Republic.ย 

Keim publicly denied the allegations in a statement released on Tuesday.

‘DeAndre Hopkins recently published and then deleted a statement falsely suggesting that I was responsible for contaminating or manipulating the drug test associated with his 2022 NFL suspension,’ the statement read. ‘That accusation is completely false.

Former Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim has retained legal counselย 

Keim is being accused by former Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins of contaminating a drug test that ultimately led to the pass catcher being suspended for six games in the 2022 season

Keim is being accused by former Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins of contaminating a drug test that ultimately led to the pass catcher being suspended for six games in the 2022 season

Hopkins (10) played with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025 and is now coaching at Georgia Tech

Hopkins (10) played with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025 and is now coaching at Georgia Tech

‘I did not contaminate, alter, manipulate, interfere with, or cause anyone else to interfere with DeAndre’s drug test or its results. I did not “set him up” for a suspension, and I had no involvement in causing the test result that led to his suspension.

‘Accusing someone of deliberately interfering with an NFL drug test is an extraordinarily serious allegation. It attacks my integrity, my professional reputation, and the work I spent decades building in the National Football League. The fact that the statement was later deleted does not undo the damage caused by publishing it to a large public audience.

‘I have retained counsel, Raees Mohamed, Esq., to aggressively address this matter and to protect my reputation and legal rights. The relevant evidence is being reviewed and preserved, and this matter will be handled through the appropriate channels.’

The former NFL executive says he refuses to engage in ‘public back-and-forth’ or ‘litigating’ the incident on social media. However, he added he would ‘not remain silent.’

Hopkins was suspended six games in the 2022 season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. The Cardinals went 4-13 that season after losing Kyler Murray to a torn ACL.

In the ensuing offseason, Keim left his role as general manager after ten years.

Hopkins last played in the 2025 season with the Baltimore Ravens before joining Georgia Tech. He has not made an announcement officially confirming his retirement.ย 

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