Chicago Bears' nose tackle Jeremiah Ratliff recently received a three-game suspension without pay from the NFL after it was found out that he took twice as much as the legal alcohol consumption limit en route to a car crash in January of 2013.

The alcohol consumption is considered a violation of the league's substance abuse policy and a player will face automatic suspension once he is found guilty of such infringement.

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Ratliff, a four-time Pro Bowler, is reportedly not going to file an appeal with regards to the decision, which means he will not be available for Chicago's first three games this season against the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and a road meeting with the Seattle Seahawks, according to The Guardian.

"It's tough to sit out any game for any reason," said Ratliff on Monday. "Of course, a situation like this doesn't make it any easier. But I'm going to do what I have to do, and I'll come back Week 4 and be ready to play."

The ruling will be effective immediately after the Bears' final preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at home on September 3. The 33-year-old veteran will be allowed to attend team meetings during his suspension but will not be authorized to join the team in practices.

The Chicago Tribune noted that Ratliff's ill-timed suspension would be a big blow to the Bears defense that is already considered shallow by league standards.

Bears head coach John Fox had repeatedly praised Ratliff during the offseason as he led and guided the team's younger players. The reprimand came as a surprise for Fox, but he remained optimistic about the whole situation and said Ratliff will continue to work in the sidelines until his suspension is lifted.

Ratliff crashed his pickup truck toward another vehicle in Grapevine, Texas two years ago when he was still a member of the Dallas Cowboys and was tested by responding officers to have a blood-alcohol level of 0.16, which is two times the allowable limit, as per ESPN.

He was charged, pleaded guilty this April, and was then ordered to pay a fine of $750, serve a year in probation, and agree to sobriety tests every time police requests of him in traffic stops.

It was only until recently that the NFL released their own punishment for the 10-year pro.

TagsNFL, NFL 2015, NFL news, NFL News 2015, NFL rumors, NFL Rumors 2015, Chicago Bears, Jeremiah Ratliff