We Should Support Rashard Lewis
It looks like most of bloggers and writers around the sports world aren’t holding any grudges against Rashard Lewis. In fact, no one seems to be making a very big deal about the whole situation. And we shouldn’t be. DHEA is actually still legal in the MLB. Now, obviously we shouldn’t use the MLB as the standard-bearer for PEDs because of the more tract record, but it makes one wonder why DHEA is banned is several sports but not in baseball. Most of us seem to believe what Lewis said as reported by Mike Bianchi yesterday.
"“First and foremost I take full responsibility for the situation and accept the corresponding penalty. Toward the end of the season I took an over-the-counter supplement which at the time I did not realize included a substance banned by the NBA. I apologize to Magic fans, my teammates and this organization for not doing the research that should come with good judgment. I hope this unintentional mistake will not reflect poorly on our team and its great character. I hope every athlete can learn from my mistake that supplements, no matter how innocent they seem, should only be taken after consulting an expert in the field.”"
And why shouldn’t we believe him? He seems very genuine and honest in his response.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced naturally from cholesterol in the adrenal glands of males and females and is available over the counter as a dietary supplement. It is secreted by the adrenal glands, circulates into the bloodstream and is converted into other hormones. It is a precursor to testosterone so although many people use it to actually lose weight, it can build muscle mass, but it is still usually used to lose body fat.
Why would Lewis want to lose any body fat? He wouldn’t. If anything, he needs to bulk up. He also had a funny response as quoted by Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel about using the drug to put on muscle.
"“Look at me, I’m still skinny as hell. Does it look like I take steroids?,” Lewis answered. “… I’m telling you it was an honest mistake. I would never knowingly put any sort of substance or steroid into my body that is against the rules.”"
Shaq, in an interview with 710 AM ESPN Radio Los Angeles on the Mason and Ireland Show, talks about what potentially happens to many NBA players, including himself when asked if many NBA players take steroids.
"“Im going to go with , No, However I can say alot of these guys, including myself, you know , we do go into these GNC stores and for example we look at something called Fatman Buster plus and it has a nice lil picture on it , we’ll buy it without doing any research on it”"
It sounds like a lot of people know where Lewis is coming from in his explanation and this seems like a very easy mistake to make. Lewis also has been told that he has the entire organization behind him as well.
Magic General Manager Otis Smith believes Lewis and according to Tania Ganguli of the Orlando Sentinel, Lewis will have the support of the entire team.
"He feels bad about it, feels bad that he’s hurting and affecting the team and the organization and himself. The biggest thing I told him is we’re a team, we’re a family we all do crazy, stupid things, and sometimes we have to make adjustments. That’s what kids do, sometimes they make mistakes. I don’t know if it was a knowing mistake, I don’t think it was. I think it was something he put in his body not knowing he had one of the many banned substances in it."
Smith also says that it won’t affect the team and looks at the situation in a more positive light.
"I think our guys have been good about banding together when they have to. It gives us an opportunity to get some longer looks at some guys that we possibly wouldn’t’ have. How Brandon and Ryan play at that spot a little bit longer."
Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy also supports Lewis.
We should all do the same. Lewis made an honest mistake and immediately owned up to it. He’s not “trying to get to the bottom of it” like Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz. He’s not constantly denying it like Roger Clemens or Barry Bonds. He’s not lying to congress like Rafael Palmiero. Lewis owned up to his mistake and apologized to the fans even though it looks like he didn’t even know that he was taking any sort of banned substance. Lewis should be applauded for the way he has handled this situation. He may appeal his suspension, but he seems prepared to serve his punishment and sit out the first 10 games like a man without complaint if the appeal fails (if he even decides to appeal). He has already shown genuine remorse even though he believes that it was nothing more than a mistake. It does go to show that athletes must be much more careful and pay more attention to what they put into their bodies. Support Rashard Lewis because he is doing the right thing in a tough situation. And maybe some professional baseball players will learn a thing or 2 from it.
Lewis Links
Fully Clips wonders if Lewis was even in the wrong.
Rip City Project likes the way Lewis handled himself.
Alex Kennedy of RealGM.com says that Lewis may appeal the suspension.
And on a lighter note, here is Rashard Lewis’ new Nike commercial. He appears as Ice-O of the Hyperizers, singing “Don’t Criticize.” Pretty funny stuff.
(Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger.Subscribe to his RSS feed and add him on Twitter to follow him daily. Check out his ACC Football preview here.)