Asa Jackson has said that he can still be a "valuable asset" for the Baltimore Ravens.
The cornerback will miss the first half of the 2013 regular season for breaching the league's rules on performance-enhancing drugs.
The 23-year-old, who scored a 78-yard touchdown for the Super Bowl champions earlier this week, told the team's website: "It's all a part of football and it's all a part of life. You're going to go through ups and downs, but it's how you handle things when things are bad that really define your character, not when they're good.
"So, I'm just going to try to keep going out there and do what I can to help the team win games and show that I can still be a valuable asset to the team. Even if it's playing just gunner or corner on punt return, that's still a valuable asset to the team. I'm ready to do whatever.
"I did the easy part [to score against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday] I just had to catch the ball and get around the corner. They were the ones that set the blocks up and made the wall for me, and at that point I almost walked into the end zone."
The Ravens used a fifth-round draft pick to acquire Jackson last year.
Sian Cowper
