Ray Lewis denies banned substance allegations
(Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE)
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis comes into the Super Bowl with his fair share of baggage, and thanks to a Sports Illustrated story, we can add one more suitcase.
SI published an in-depth examination of Sports with Alternatives to Steroids (S.W.A.T.S.) and the company’s relationship with professional athletes. You get a gold star if you guessed that Lewis’ name is on the list.
According to Sports Illustrated, Lewis contacted S.W.A.T.S, which is owned by a former male stripper, to obtain a deer-antler velvet extract after tearing his triceps in October.
Mitch Ross of S.W.A.T.S reportedly videotaped the phone call from Lewis, according to CBS Sports.
“Spray on my elbow every two hours?” Lewis asked Ross regarding the extract.
“No,” Ross said. “Under your tongue
Later, Lewis asked Ross to “just pile me up and just send me everything you got, because I got to get back on this this week.”
While the whole situation just seems generally weird, the issue of foul play arises with the fact that the antler extract contains NFL-banned substance IGF-1. So what happens now? Well, time is a major issue. Even if Lewis were to admit to it, the NFL would have to pull together an investigation by Super Bowl Sunday, after which Lewis is retiring.
And Lewis won’t be admitting any guilt when it comes to the substance. Comcast SportsNet New England’s Tom Curran reported via Twitter that Lewis denied ever taking the extract.
