Brandon Spikes suspended for banned substance for 4 games

[jmt57]

Statement From Patriots Brandon Spikes :Ian's New England Patriots Blog

According to the statement, Spikes says that the substance was a “medication” that he he should have “gotten clarification” before taking.

A little bit more detail in the link above.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Is he still allowed to practice with the team during the suspension?

No. But if you want to see more of Brandon Spikes in action...he should have plenty of time to visit Chatroulette web.

 

[Deus Irae]

Unfortunately for the issue of clarity, the NFL is not allowed to comment on this stuff, and the players can lie. I'm not saying that Spikes is full of it, and I expect that he's being truthful, but unless the rules change or someone in the NFL front office violates the CBA, we'll never know for certain.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Got to be something he could easily get OTC or from a doctor ...

my guess is Sudafed ... which I cannot belive is on the list but what do I know.

 

[Steve102]

Got to be something he could easily get OTC or from a doctor ...

my guess is Sudafed ... which I cannot belive is on the list but what do I know.

Well, IMO these guys are professional athletes, and they have to know what they are putting in their bodies. If he didn't, and made a mistake, shame on him.

 

[shirtsleeve]

Unfortunately for the issue of clarity, the NFL is not allowed to comment on this stuff, and the players can lie. I'm not saying that Spikes is full of it, and I expect that he's being truthful, but unless the rules change or someone in the NFL front office violates the CBA, we'll never know for certain.

This is true, but someone in that locker room inevitably leaks this stuff. I am pretty confident he is telling the truth for that reason. I think he went all Julius Peppers on this thing and now must pay the price for being a mental midget.

 

[Synovia]

Gomy guess is Sudafed ... which I cannot belive is on the list but what do I know.

Its banned in pretty much every sport at this point. Its a stimulant, and in real high doses causes some weird steroid like effects.


These guys are supposed to run basically everything they take by team doctors.

 

[shirtsleeve]

Got to be something he could easily get OTC or from a doctor ...

my guess is Sudafed ... which I cannot belive is on the list but what do I know.

My guess, too. But ephedrine is a performance enhancer when mixed with other easy to get drugs. Caffiene ephedrine aspirin stacks have been taken for years by athletes to increase performance. Sudafed is a crappy way to get it tho, and most of the good ways (primatene tablets, for instance) are now off the market.

Well, IMO these guys are professional athletes, and they have to know what they are putting in their bodies. If he didn't, and made a mistake, shame on him.

You would think. But taking theraflu doesn't seem all that bad....I can see how something like that can happen. Even though he should read the label first.

 

[deroc5050]

The news center 5 made it sound like it was a devastating loss to the pats.. and then after commercial break they said it was spikes for 4 games.. i thought we lost mcourtey or wilfork.. It sucks but I am sure the team will adjust ok.

 

[Steve102]

You would think. But taking theraflu doesn't seem all that bad....I can see how something like that can happen. Even though he should read the label first.

I dunno bud. When in doubt, check with the trainers? Think of your own workplace. There are guys you work with that know everything about everything. Why would a locker room be any different? Wouldn't a simple shout "Hey, can I take this stuff?" in a crowded locker room or film room draw about a dozen answers? Wouldn't some vet reply "No Dude, it has XXXXephedrine in it? "

Seems like a knucklehead move to me.

 

[Deus Irae]

I dunno bud. When in doubt, check with the trainers? Think of your own workplace. There are guys you work with that know everything about everything. Why would a locker room be any different? Wouldn't a simple shout "Hey, can I take this stuff?" in a crowded locker room or film room draw about a dozen answers? Wouldn't some vet reply "No Dude, it has XXXXephedrine in it? "

Seems like a knucklehead move to me.

Easy example.... You've got a cough, and someone offers you NyQuil. Your first natural response is not going to be "Damn! I'd love to have some, but I'd better check in with the trainer.".


Hell, the Starcaps situation shows how ridiculous it is to even ask the league.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Idiot. Like this franchise needs anymore negative press. As good as he's been on the field, wonder if next strike could be his last?

 

[UofApatsfan]

Someone already mentioned it but getting a 1st round bye is huge now. Mayo is gonna have to be the every down SILB over the next four games, a position he doesn't have the size to play. He's gonna need that bye week for his body to recover as he got muscled around a lot at SILB last year. It really sucks McKenzie couldn't make the team as the 4th ILB because he wasn't much help on special teams, this is where only having 1 true SILB on the roster hurts.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Woodhead can move to SILB ... I'm sure of it.

 

[Uncle Rico]

The news center 5 made it sound like it was a devastating loss to the pats.. and then after commercial break they said it was spikes for 4 games.. i thought we lost mcourtey or wilfork.. It sucks but I am sure the team will adjust ok.

TV news is slow to catch on -- they still do that "big news on so and so coming up after the break." During which break I ask my friend Mr Google what's going on, find out, and change the station to something better before the commercial ends.

 

[Steve102]

Easy example.... You've got a cough, and someone offers you NyQuil. Your first natural response is not going to be "Damn! I'd love to have some, but I'd better check in with the trainer.".

Sorry, I don't buy that. We are talking about pro athletes that can get suspended for a littany of OTC drugs. They have to err on the side of caution.

If you knew you might lose 4 weeks pay for taking sudafed, wouldn't you check with HR first? Dial up the extention and "Hey, this is Deus in the ___ dept. Can I take this cold medicine or is it on the list?"

It has to be that easy for these guys to find out.

 

[PATSNUTme]

If he would have known that it would result in an 8+ page thread here, I bet he would have read the label.

Here is his statement:

“I’ve been contacted by the NFL and informed that I will be suspended four games for the detection of an illegal substance in a drug test,” said Spikes in the statement. ”The substance was a medication that I should have gotten clarification on before taking. It was not a performance enhancer or an illegal drug. The integrity of the game is very important to me. I understand the league’s ruling and apologize to my teammates, the fans and the Patriots organization for this mistake.”

 

[zipster9]

Idiot. Like this franchise needs anymore negative press. As good as he's been on the field, wonder if next strike could be his last?

You'll find out when 2011 NFL draft comes around. If Patriots draft a ILB in 2nd-3rd round, Spikes maybe done..

So far, IMO, dont think Spikes is making that high of an impact. Granted he got the pick from Sanchez, but, that was VERY lucky, as Spikes never even moved, and the ball right to him.

 

[UofApatsfan]

You'll find out when 2011 NFL draft comes around. If Patriots draft a ILB in 2nd-3rd round, Spikes maybe done..

So far, IMO, dont think Spikes is making that high of an impact. Granted he got the pick from Sanchez, but, that was VERY lucky, as Spikes never even moved, and the ball right to him.

The fact Spikes has the size and ability to play SILB on 1st and 2nd down alone makes an impact. The huge year Mayo is having has a lot to do with the fact Spikes allowed him to move back to his natural position.

 

[DaBruinz]

a banned substance is a banned substance...he's suspended 4 games...officially...don't know how you're reading that this can't be it and implying it is a steroid violation...that IS what you are impugning is it not?

It was a banned medication. NOT HGH.. Not Steroids.. Not Illicit drugs..