Report: SEC Players Allegedly Used Banned Substances In “Chip” Form

January 29th, 2013 05:48 PM║ Posted By: John Pennington ║ Permalink ║ Schools: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt
Tags: Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Several Alabama

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In April of 2011, news broke via Yahoo! Sports that some Auburn and Alabama players may have been using illegal substances — a growth hormone found in deer antler velvet was one type — in the form of holographic chips worn on the skin. A bizarre story it was and, thankfully, it soon faded away, swallowed up by other controversies and conference realignment mania.

Well now the same people behind those chips have been tied by Sports Illustrated to Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens. And right on Super Bowl media day. What a coincidence, SI. But Lewis isn’t the only player connected to the use of “chips.” Several Alabama players allegedly used the chips before last January’s national title game against LSU. And several LSU players supposedly used the chips before their win over Alabama earlier in the 2011 season.

It’s a long piece on what might or might not be an illegal substance. What is clear, however, is that SEC coaches need to do a much better job of keeping quacks with no medical training the hell away from their players.

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Tiger Eyez

I have been reading up on this deer antler spray since the Ray Lewis situation. The amount of HGH-like substance is miniscule compared to what guys take to enhance workouts and recovery. Also, the chips and spray are sold in stores. Weightlifters take creatine and I don't think it is banned. The muscle growth and workout recovery effects seem to be similar to the claims made by deer antler suppliers.

I wouldn't fault the athletes too much for these incidents. Supplementation is widespread in weighlifting, and there are so many it is difficult to keep up with them all.

Now that the Ray Lewis situation has made a splash (he has been a deer antler advocate for years, by the way) everyone will be forced to develop an official policy.

John at MrSEC moderator

@Tiger Eyez

Agreed.

We posted the story because it's making national news -- what potential scandal, even a wacky one, doesn't? But we didn't dwell on it because a) no one tested positive and b) if you read up on deer antler velvet spray and these particular folks' spin on "negative cell phone energy" you'll quickly realize it's more quackery than cheating.

I was reminded of the snake oil salesman in "The Outlaw Josey Wales" when I first heard of these chip-sellers two years ago. Where's Chief Dan George when you need him?

Thanks for reading the site,

John

gregpomeroy1

As long the players passed their drug tests, I can't imagine there would be any punitive measures against them or the universities. Schools can educate and try to keep the bad guys away, whether they be agents or drug dealer, but they can't be with the players 24 hours a day.

Report: SEC Players Allegedly Used Banned Substances In “Chip” Form

January 29th, 2013 05:48 PM║ Posted By: John Pennington ║ Permalink ║ Schools: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt Tags: Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Several Alabama

January 29th, 2013 05:48 PM║ Posted By: John Pennington ║ Permalink ║ Schools: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt
Tags: Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Several Alabama