Ray Lewis’ link to a Banned Substance and what it means - Mparas1432's Blog

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Ray Lewis’ link to a Banned Substance and what it means Stuck

Posted on February 1, 2013 at 07:08 PM.

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On the same day of a report that revealed multiple MLB players were supplied performance enhancing drugs out of Florida, a Sports Illustrated article linked Ray Lewis to using a banned substance to recover from a triceps injury that was suffered in October.

The article, which was written by Dave Epstein and George Dohramn, reveals that Lewis sought out Mitch Ross’ S.W.A.T.S. – Sports with Alternatives to Steroids –to provide products to get back on the field sooner. Despite the company’s “alternatives to steroids” title, the NFL and other major leagues have banned the product that Lewis wanted to use –a deer spray that contained IGF-1. IGF-1, or insulin-like growth factor, is the same element in Human Growth Hormone (HGH).

Now days before Super Bowl 47, , Lewis’ use of a banned substance could be the exact reason why the Ravens are in the Super Bowl.
When Lewis went down in Oct. 14’s game against the Cowboys, not only was his season supposed to be over but the death of the Baltimore Ravens as well. The team had already been plagued with injuries to Suggs, Ellerbe, and Webb. Lewis, their leader, was supposed to be the final blow.

It’s easy to see how it could create enough desperation for Lewis and seek that extra boost needed.

“Just pile me up and just send me everything you got,” Lewis said to Ross, according to SI. “I got to get back on this this week.”

Lewis’ recovery, which was much faster than expected, led to a string of multiple inspirational events to put the Ravens in the big game. The Ravens fought for Ray, who announced his retirement was coming at the end of the season, and also became a much more physical team on defense. Lewis’ return meant the Ravens hitting their peak.

Of course, Lewis has vehemently denied all allegations that he had used the spray.

“Our world is a very secret society. We try to protect our world as much as we can," Lewis said in a press conference during the week. "When you let cowards come in and do things like that, to try to disturb something. I've said it before and I've said a million times, the reason why I'm smiling is because it's so funny of a story.”

If it’s so funny then why does Ross have Lewis on tape asking for S.W.A.T.S product? There have been a lot of journalism flubs recently (see: Manti T’eo), but would Epstein and Dohramn run the story without hearing the tape recordings? Lewis’ dismissal of the subject can not be taken for granted, especially in this sports era where some of the biggest names have admitted guilt.

The Ravens, as expected, also quickly rushed to the defense of Lewis. The team quickly came out with a statement that Lewis had been randomly tested throughout the season and that the 17-year veteran never failed a test in his career.

However, there is a problem with the statement. IGF-1, the substance Lewis would have potentially tested positive for, is not currently traceable by the NFL’s current testing standards.

“Without the blood test, there would be no conclusive evidence,” said NFL Spokesperson Greg Aiello in 2011 to The Post Game “But we’d like to test for it. If we could establish a player was using IGF-1 through whatever means, that player would be subject to suspension. Same with growth hormone.”

Lewis’ case highlights potentially a big steroid problem throughout the NFL. Even if Lewis is somehow innocent, the true nature of the SI article illustrated a further need for advanced testing. Currently, the testing standards are just short of a joke.

The NFL became one of the first major leagues to try and crack down on steroids, but the testing process is so far behind that the NFL isn’t even allowed to state the substance a player tests positive for. The archaic methods have led to players using the popular “Adderall Excuse.” Players can claim they tested positive for Adderall all the want without the NFL being allowed to say otherwise.

Even if the NFL and the NFLPA agrees for the way to test for HGH, it’s important the NFL continues to test randomly throughout the year -including the off season. When Lance Armstrong went on Oprah a week ago, one of the most important things he said was that the PED problem goes beyond cycling to all sports.
As for Lewis’ reputation, that most likely won’t be affected without an actual positive test. People won’t bat an eye for Lewis as he fades off into the sunset just like they buy into his reformed image.

What people should take away from Sports Illustrated article and this scandal is this: the PED problem won’t be going away soon and it’s time the NFL started to act on it.

Comments

# 1 Computalover @ Feb 2

" People won’t bat an eye for Lewis as he fades off into the sunset just like they buy into his reformed image..."

Sounds to me that you already have haterade in your system. You believe the SI article.. its apparent. no evidence to prove he took any banned substance. no shipping labels and no alleged recording.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/r...,3569228.story

so this reformed image is false why? because of what you believe.. or based on assumptions? or even the .. well other stars did it and lied .. defense?

# 2 johnnyboy8102 @ Feb 2

IGF-1 cannot be taken orally. It makes this story irrelevant. It is essentially snake oil.

This article was very poorly written. The least that could be done is some thorough research.

# 3 Bulls321974 @ Feb 2

Ray Lewis's credibility is at a low point now and mostly it's his own fault...

# 4 onac22 @ Feb 2

I think Ray Lewis is like that reformed criminal mastermind character often seen on TV. He keeps himself removed from the actual trouble and all the hero's look for the whole show he is one step ahead. He should just retire and run his drug or gang empire and leave us alone.

# 5 Bull_Dozer @ Feb 2

So he eats deer antlers, it's not like he's a murderer! Oh wait...

# 6 Computalover @ Feb 3

there is no oh wait.. he is not a murderer.. but haterade comes in all flavors.. what folks do not recognize is that they charged him with murder to attempt to get leverage for him to snitch.. he would not at first. I was charged with things in my life when i wouldnt testify to what i saw.. even though i didnt see anything important.. the AD didnt believe me.. so being charged with something is not the equivalent to actually doing something.. and FYI.. it was a self defense issue. there was a verbal altercation.. the group with the victims.. left.. then came back.. one from their group hits one in rays group in the head with a champagne bottle.. then all out war.. 2 get stabbed.. I am a few who actually worked with ray with underprivledged kids in this city.. and his credibility is high for those who he helped. and to those who appreciate him both on and off the field. and you all know if he played 17 years for your favorite team you would give him the benefit of the doubt.. and love him too...