Ray Lewis Took Banned Substance

The weeks leading up to the Super Bowl never fail to produce intriguing storylines.

One of the more fascinating reports, which has yet to be confirmed, involves Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who has been linked to a banned substance.

According to David Epstein and George Dohrmann of Sports Illustrated, the substance is an HGH-like deer-antler spray that is thought to have been used during his recovery from a torn triceps muscle.

Lewis suffered the injury in a Week 6 win over the Dallas Cowboys back in October. He would miss the rest of the regular season before returning for the Ravens' AFC Wild Card win over the Indianapolis Colts.

The following excerpts from the SI article detail how Mitch Ross, the owner of S.W.A.T.S. (Sports with Alternatives to Steroids), allegedly assisted Lewis in his injury rehab during the regular season:

Ross says he provided the products free of charge...All Ross wanted in return, he told Lewis, is for the future Hall of Famer to tell the truth -- that he used S.W.A.T.S. products -- when he returned to the field.

Ross prescribed a deluxe program, including holographic stickers on the right elbow; copious quantities of the powder additive; sleeping in front of a beam-ray light programmed with frequencies for tissue regeneration and pain relief; drinking negatively charged water; a 10-per-day regimen of the deer-antler pills that will "rebuild your brain via your small intestines" (and which Lewis said he hadn't been taking, then swallowed four during the conversation); and spritzes of deer-antler velvet extract (the Ultimate Spray) every two hours.

Lewis has played a key role in all three of Baltimore's postseason wins this January and is obviously a huge reason why the team is playing for a Super Bowl title this coming weekend. The 37-year-old, who is set to retire at season's end (via the Baltimore Sun), leads all postseason players with 44 combined tackles.

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While Lewis denied working with S.W.A.T.S. in the report, being implicated with a performance-enhancing substance could very well damage his legacy. He hasn't failed any drug tests in his 17-year NFL career, though, so it's difficult to draw any conclusions at this time.

Nonetheless, Lewis is sure to be grilled in the coming days as he fields questions from the hoards of reporters covering the Super Bowl. The process got under way during media day, when the 13-time Pro Bowler responded to the accusations with the following (via Yahoo! Sports):

"Two years ago that was the same report, I wouldn't give that report or him any of my press," Lewis said during his press conference, which was broadcast on the NFL Network. "He's not worthy of that. Next question."

While Lewis is doing his best to discount the report, it will be interesting to see if he can continue fending off the topic leading up to the big game.

So Niners win or asterisk.

I'm cool with that

Not shocked.

I believe Ray Lewis.

Probably the 2nd worst thing he's ever done behind killing someone

bobbitt15 wrote:

Probably the 2nd worst thing he's ever done behind killing someone

He didn't kill anybody. I think that much is pretty much fact. Did someone he know kill someone? Looks that way. I think he is hated on because his over the top religious shit and you guys are God hating atheist.

it seems to be fashionable US sport at the moment to chuck these allegations around.

they're all on HGH anyway, that's why the NFLPA won't agree to the testing. 6"8, 300lb guys that can run a 4.5 40 yard dash aren't created by nature.

OU wrote:

bobbitt15 wrote:

Probably the 2nd worst thing he's ever done behind killing someone

He didn't kill anybody. I think that much is pretty much fact. Did someone he know kill someone? Looks that way. I think he is hated on because his over the top religious shit and you guys are God hating atheist.

Wheres his blood stained white suit?

cheekynffc wrote:

it seems to be fashionable US sport at the moment to chuck these allegations around.

they're all on HGH anyway, that's why the NFLPA won't agree to the testing. 6"8, 300lb guys that can run a 4.5 40 yard dash aren't created by nature.

pretty much, there still is no tests for HGH, so MLB and NFL is probably 90% dirty. and until the leagues start showing interest and care itll stay that way for a while

I don't consider deer antler shit to be a bad thing at all. It's a pretty old holistic treatment out of Asia. What's next banning ginseng?

GDPofDRC wrote:

I don't consider deer antler shit to be a bad thing at all. It's a pretty old holistic treatment out of Asia. What's next banning ginseng?

but it is banned none the less...

And MMA judges think Matt Hamill didn't beat Michael Bisping.

GDPofDRC wrote:

And MMA judges think Matt Hamill didn't beat Michael Bisping.

did you read up on the substance? i dont even know what it is

killerofchicken wrote:

GDPofDRC wrote:

And MMA judges think Matt Hamill didn't beat Michael Bisping.

did you read up on the substance? i dont even know what it is

As far as I know from yesterday it's the deer antler shit and it contains a banned substance, not sure what that substance is specifically though.

It's been used for several thousands of years. It slows the regression of hormone depletion and muscle atrophy among other health benefits. Now what I hear is the SWAT company, that some guy claims Lewis got stuff from, laces their product with external hormones which is a no no. But accusations are simply accusations and nothing more until they either verified or invalidated.

OU wrote:

killerofchicken wrote:

GDPofDRC wrote:

And MMA judges think Matt Hamill didn't beat Michael Bisping.

did you read up on the substance? i dont even know what it is

As far as I know from yesterday it's the deer antler shit and it contains a banned substance, not sure what that substance is specifically though.

the substance in question is IGF-1, which apparently has similar properties to HGH.

i really don't believe lewis is that stupid. if he was going to take this type of substance why wouldn't he just take HGH, safe in the knowledge the NFL doesn't test for it and he was retiring this year?

cheekynffc wrote:

OU wrote:

killerofchicken wrote:

GDPofDRC wrote:

And MMA judges think Matt Hamill didn't beat Michael Bisping.

did you read up on the substance? i dont even know what it is

As far as I know from yesterday it's the deer antler shit and it contains a banned substance, not sure what that substance is specifically though.

the substance in question is IGF-1, which apparently has similar properties to HGH.

i really don't believe lewis is that stupid. if he was going to take this type of substance why wouldn't he just take HGH, safe in the knowledge the NFL doesn't test for it and he was retiring this year?

Yeah I remember hearing about the antler shit being somewhat equivalent to HGH when it was brought up a couple years ago.

bobbitt15 wrote:

Probably the 2nd worst thing he's ever done behind killing someone

busted out laughing when i saw this