FOX Sports Exclusive
Deer antler effects are uncertain
Ray Lewis dismisses questions over PED use
Share This Story
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis would be in violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy — at least if the deer antler supplements he reportedly used to rehabilitate a torn triceps works as advertised.
SUPER SCANDALS
That's all it takes to ruin a reputation at the big game. Here are the Super Bowl's biggest scandals.Lewis took 10 deer antler pills a day and used deer antler spray under his tongue every two hours after he suffered the injury against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 4, SI.com reported on Tuesday. Lewis called the report “stupidity” at Super Bowl media day in New Orleans on Tuesday.
The deer velvet — taken from the antlers of deer before they are fully mature – in the spray and pills allegedly boost the production of human growth hormone in the body. But it’s not proven that a supplement could come close to matching the effects of regular HGH injections, according to Duffy MacKay, vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs at the Council for Responsible Nutrition.
“I’m not aware of any substance like this formula that has been verified clinically to raise HGH levels,” MacKay told FOXSports.com.
According to the S.W.A.T.S. (Sports with Alternatives to Steroids) website, the spray purportedly used by Lewis “has been shown to contain” insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1). Like HGH, the use of IGF-1 has long been banned by sports leagues. The only verified way to get its muscle-building properties is from injections of the hormone.
“We know the effects when somebody injects IGF-1,” Anthony Butch, director of the UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory, told FOXSports.com. “We don’t know exactly how much IGF-1 is (absorbed by the body) when the material is ingested.”
It could be very little, or nothing at all.
But if the deer antler supplements act as advertised, an athlete could test positive. Not that Lewis has to worry. The current HGH test can’t detect a substance that boosts HGH levels, and only a newer HGH test will be able to detect higher-than-normal IGF-1 levels.
The NFL doesn’t use either form of the test, anyway.
The NFL and NFL Players Association agreed to test for HGH when the current 10-year collective-bargaining agreement was ratified before the 2011 season, but the players union has blocked implementation of the test.
The league has suspended players without a positive test, a so-called non-analytical positive. Former New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison was suspended in 2007 after he admitted he used of HGH after he was linked to shipments of the substance.
The NFL sent letters to players before the 2011 season ordering them to end any relationship with S.W.AT. after several players were linked to the company. Major League Baseball warned its players about deer antler products since there was a possibility their use could lead to a positive test.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration asking the agency to examine sellers of deer antler supplements two years ago, but no formal action has yet been taken.
More Stories From A.J. Perez
Trending Now
-
Teen strangled by dog lead
A Kentucky high school football player known as a "jokester" was strangled by a dog l... -
Tiger, Sergio are both chicken
Neither Sergio Garcia nor Tiger Woods did anything to promote better race relations. ... -
Flock, Petty highlight new class
Flock. Petty. Jarrett. Ingram. Roberts. New Hall class is diverse. -
Reports: 'Melo has shoulder tear
New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony played in the NBA playoffs with a partially torn... -
Man, 80, becomes oldest atop Everest
An 80-year-old Japanese mountaineer on Thursday became the oldest man to reach the to...
NFL Videos
Billick and Jones: Players primed to perform
Posted: May 23, 2013
Brian Billick and Taylor Jones have young players primed for big seasons.
Brian Billick and Taylor Jones have young players primed for big seasons.
Throwback Thursday: Russell Wilson
Posted: May 23, 2013
Highlights of Russell Wilson as a high school quarterback in Richmond, VA.
Highlights of Russell Wilson as a high school quarterback in Richmond, VA.
Marvez: Urlacher calls it a career
Posted: May 22, 2013
Alex Marvez on the career or Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.
Alex Marvez on the career or Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.
NFL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike New York Jets Just Do It T-Shirt - Green - | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Jets/browse/featuredproduct/800466/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_800000/ff_800466_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike New York Jets Just Do It T-Shirt - Green - |
| Nike Pittsburgh Steelers Just Do It T-Shirt - Gold | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Pittsburgh_Steelers/browse/featuredproduct/800489/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_800000/ff_800489_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Pittsburgh Steelers Just Do It T-Shirt - Gold |
| Nike San Francisco 49ers Blockbuster T-Shirt - Scarlet | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_49ers/browse/featuredproduct/801102/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_801000/ff_801102_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike San Francisco 49ers Blockbuster T-Shirt - Scarlet |
| Nike Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions Game Jersey - Light Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Detroit_Lions/browse/featuredproduct/825450/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_825000/ff_825450_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions Game Jersey - Light Blue |
| Nike Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots Game Jersey - Navy Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_England_Patriots/browse/featuredproduct/825465/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_825000/ff_825465_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots Game Jersey - Navy Blue |
| Nike Eli Manning New York Giants Womens Game Jersey - Royal Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/830781/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_830000/ff_830781_xl.jpg&w=100 | 94.95 | Nike Eli Manning New York Giants Womens Game Jersey - Royal Blue |
| Nike Peyton Manning Denver Broncos Game Jersey - Orange | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Denver_Broncos/browse/featuredproduct/845755/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_845000/ff_845755_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Peyton Manning Denver Broncos Game Jersey - Orange |
| Nike Justin Blackmon Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Game Jersey - Teal | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Jacksonville_Jaguars/browse/featuredproduct/851602/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851602_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.99 | Nike Justin Blackmon Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Game Jersey - Teal |
| New Era Green Bay Packers On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Green | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Green_Bay_Packers/browse/featuredproduct/853845/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_853000/ff_853845_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era Green Bay Packers On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Green |
| New Era New Orleans Saints On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_Orleans_Saints/browse/featuredproduct/853852/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_853000/ff_853852_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era New Orleans Saints On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Black |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.