Imagine as a kid you’re sitting in the principal’s office.

You were caught putting an extra candy bar in your pocket, and the principal just pulled out the proof.

The principal then calmly asks: “What do you have to say for yourself?”

Without missing a beat, you say: “I didn’t know I couldn’t take that.”

The principal rolls his eyes and says, “Really?”

Derek Wolfe is the latest to use this nonsensical excuse for getting caught taking something he knew he shouldn’t – only this wasn’t a candy bar. It’s a safe bet that John Elway and Gary Kubiak would have the same response to Wolfe’s excuse.

It was announced early Friday afternoon that the Denver Broncos defensive end was suspended the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

It’s a professional athlete’s job to know what is on the banned substance list, and if they’re unsure, ask someone in the Broncos’ organization before ingesting something that could lead to a suspension.

The fact Wolfe used this tired, warn out excuse is insulting. The fact pro athletes use this as an explanation for any transgression just raises questions about their intelligence.

Their body is how they do what they do. Without it, they wouldn’t be where they are (thanks, John Madden).

Wolfe’s excuse is akin to a NASCAR driver putting nitrous oxide in his car, getting caught and saying, “I didn’t know it was on the banned list.”

Imagine as a kid you get caught going through your mom’s purse and saying, “I didn’t know that was banned.”

Own up to it.

Admit you took it, that you lacked the judgement (intelligence, common sense) to ask someone in your entourage, organization or players’ union if what you were about to take is on the banned list and leave it at that.

Don’t insult them and yourself with: “I didn’t know it was banned.”

Practice some common sense.

I know in the Digital Age it’s tough. We speak first and deal with the consequences later … either by deleting posts or saying we were hacked.

That doesn’t mean people get a pass for stupid behavior or what an athlete does can get brushed aside with a nonchalant, “I didn’t know …”

If it wouldn’t work for a kid, don’t use it as an adult.

Before people speak, they should have this flash in their mind: “It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”