A "deeply ashamed" Jermaine McEwen says he let Newcastle down after the NRL club handed him a one-game ban for drink-driving on a suspended licence.
McEwen will be unavailable for the Knights' next game against St George Illawarra in round 16 and also receives a $5000 suspended fine from the club.
The 21-year-old second-rower, who is having a breakout season, was charged police for low-range drink driving and driving on a suspended licence on May 22.
"I am deeply ashamed of my actions," McEwen said in a statement.
"There is no justification for what I did, getting behind the wheel with alcohol in my system was irresponsible, dangerous, and completely beneath the standards I hold myself to as a person and as a professional footballer.