SI: Alabama players may have used banned substance before ’12 national title

With the Super Bowl less than a week away, the process of coming up with storylines — both good and bad — about the players and coaches participating in the big event is underway. Specifically, there’s a new angle for Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.

Sports Illustrated published a feature Tuesday documenting Lewis’ possible use of banned substances, specifically an extract called IGF-1 from deer antlers, to recover from his triceps injury in October.

The company who reportedly sent Lewis the goods is called S.W.A.T.S., also known as “Sports with Alternatives to Steroids.” It’s about as shady as one would think: run by two men “out of the back of a gym near Birmingham.”

The college connection comes early on in the story when one of the S.W.A.T.S reps, Christopher Key, makes a pitch in a hotel room to a group of Alabama players right before the 2012 BCS championship game against LSU. The story specifically mentions defensive end Quinton Dial and linebacker Alex Watkins.

And then Key passed out his remedy for the frequencies: stickers, which he calls chips, bearing holograms of a pyramid. Key told the players that on game day they should place the chips on three acupuncture points — one on the inside of each wrist before they tape their arms (the chips also come embedded in bracelets), and one over the heart. “It’s going to help your heart have so much more energy,” he said. “Come the fourth quarter, you guys will not be gassed at all.”

Key also introduces the players to the antler spray and “negatively charged” water, among other products. The Tide’s coaching staff was apparently unaware this meeting took place. Key is also said to have given a treatment to an LSU player before the 2010 Senior Bowl.

If Alabama wasn’t already aware of the story — it’s not exactly a new topic — they are now. What action, if any, will be taken by either the school or the NCAA is unknown yet. There is mention of banned substances – IGF-1 is also considered one by the NCAA — being used by Watkins in the title game against the Tigers.

It’s not your traditional HGH or steroids, but it is an interesting feature on what could be considered a performance enhancer. Point being, don’t be surprised if universities pull out their NCAA binders to give players a refresher.

Because fat, drunk, stupid, and hopped up on deer antler spray is no way to go through life, son.

Jetmanlee wrote: Bama all jacked up on MT. Dew and Deer antler jucie. Only in america, baby. That is right folks Drink some Mt. Dew and Spray some Deer Antler juice under your tounge  two days before the big game and boom you will win. LSU was on the same stuff before playing tOSU, just watch and see.

buckwild23 wrote:

SI: Alabama players may have used banned substance before ’12 national title

With the Super Bowl less than a week away, the process of coming up with storylines — both good and bad — about the players and coaches participating in the big event is underway. Specifically, there’s a new angle for Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.

Sports Illustrated published a feature Tuesday documenting Lewis’ possible use of banned substances, specifically an extract called IGF-1 from deer antlers, to recover from his triceps injury in October.

The company who reportedly sent Lewis the goods is called S.W.A.T.S., also known as “Sports with Alternatives to Steroids.” It’s about as shady as one would think: run by two men “out of the back of a gym near Birmingham.”

The college connection comes early on in the story when one of the S.W.A.T.S reps, Christopher Key, makes a pitch in a hotel room to a group of Alabama players right before the 2012 BCS championship game against LSU. The story specifically mentions defensive end Quinton Dial and linebacker Alex Watkins.

And then Key passed out his remedy for the frequencies: stickers, which he calls chips, bearing holograms of a pyramid. Key told the players that on game day they should place the chips on three acupuncture points — one on the inside of each wrist before they tape their arms (the chips also come embedded in bracelets), and one over the heart. “It’s going to help your heart have so much more energy,” he said. “Come the fourth quarter, you guys will not be gassed at all.”

Key also introduces the players to the antler spray and “negatively charged” water, among other products. The Tide’s coaching staff was apparently unaware this meeting took place. Key is also said to have given a treatment to an LSU player before the 2010 Senior Bowl.

If Alabama wasn’t already aware of the story — it’s not exactly a new topic — they are now. What action, if any, will be taken by either the school or the NCAA is unknown yet. There is mention of banned substances – IGF-1 is also considered one by the NCAA — being used by Watkins in the title game against the Tigers.

It’s not your traditional HGH or steroids, but it is an interesting feature on what could be considered a performance enhancer. Point being, don’t be surprised if universities pull out their NCAA binders to give players a refresher.

Because fat, drunk, stupid, and hopped up on deer antler spray is no way to go through life, son.

DeepSthBoy wrote:

Jetmanlee wrote: Bama all jacked up on MT. Dew and Deer antler jucie. Only in america, baby. That is right folks Drink some Mt. Dew and Spray some Deer Antler juice under your tounge  two days before the big game and boom you will win. LSU was on the same stuff before playing tOSU, just watch and see.

I honestly hope that you believe that. It is mindless pablum like this that sustains me on some days. Thanks for your nonsensical shot of adrenaline.

BigDroppa wrote: I aint sayin nuthin

But their RBs look awesome, wait til this new incoming RB recruit goes thru the Bama S&C program . Dude will be a beast.

RJSimmons wrote: It looked like Bama was on a different physical level than ND. It doesn't surprise me.

TrinidadJames wrote: I think it's pretty obvious. I know a scout who said Alabama's teams are bigger than NFL teams

Chidragon wrote:

BigDroppa wrote: I aint sayin nuthin

But their RBs look awesome, wait til this new incoming RB recruit goes thru the Bama S&C program . Dude will be a beast.

What exact type of beast?  One that has antlers?

Jetmanlee wrote:

RJSimmons wrote: It looked like Bama was on a different physical level than ND. It doesn't surprise me.

So bama is more physical and big and strong because deer velvet spray two days before the title game, please..

cd2007 wrote: The spray contains a banned substance and Bama players used that.

The Bama team is dirty.

Jetmanlee wrote:

cd2007 wrote: The spray contains a banned substance and Bama players used that.

The Bama team is dirty.

Well the substance that is in ?, also in milk,fish,and Steak. Also all bama players are tested before and after the game for ban substance's and not one bama failed the test, how could they the same stuff is in steak and Milk and Fish, so crazy. Oh yea, Swats guys cut bama off this year and helped out UGA,Ole Miss, and LSU so  they would beat bama, no ****, They sold deer antler spray to UGA,Ole Miss, and LSU this year to beat bama, but the secrect weapon was Mt. Dew, the boys were still jacked up on Mt. Dew, kick'in a** and taking antler's.

Jetmanlee wrote:

cd2007 wrote: The spray contains a banned substance and Bama players used that.

The Bama team is dirty.

Well the substance that is in ?, also in milk,fish,and Steak. Also all bama players are tested before and after the game for ban substance's and not one bama failed the test, how could they the same stuff is in steak and Milk and Fish, so crazy. Oh yea, Swats guys cut bama off this year and helped out UGA,Ole Miss, and LSU so  they would beat bama, no ****, They sold deer antler spray to UGA,Ole Miss, and LSU this year to beat bama, but the secrect weapon was Mt. Dew, the boys were still jacked up on Mt. Dew, kick'in a** and taking antler's.

RJSimmons wrote:

Jetmanlee wrote:

cd2007 wrote: The spray contains a banned substance and Bama players used that.

The Bama team is dirty.

Well the substance that is in ?, also in milk,fish,and Steak. Also all bama players are tested before and after the game for ban substance's and not one bama failed the test, how could they the same stuff is in steak and Milk and Fish, so crazy. Oh yea, Swats guys cut bama off this year and helped out UGA,Ole Miss, and LSU so  they would beat bama, no ****, They sold deer antler spray to UGA,Ole Miss, and LSU this year to beat bama, but the secrect weapon was Mt. Dew, the boys were still jacked up on Mt. Dew, kick'in a** and taking antler's.

NCAA doesn't test for HGH. And judging by the rides that guys like Trent Richardson rode around in, it's clear they could afford it.

Is anyone under the illusion that not every single big time college program in the nation, to include OSU, has players screwing around with PEDs?