Robert Mathis Suspended

[MikeO]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/05/16/robert-mathis-suspended-four-games/

Another failed test. Suspended 4 games. Wonder when the Josh Gordon verdict will come down? Has to be soon

[Brian Fein]

Robert Mathis released a statement that he was taking infertility drugs to try to get his wife pregnant.  He was misinformed by his doctor about the consequences of taking the drug with respect to the NFL drug policy.

I believe the story, and it sucks for him.  But its obviously not his first infraction.

[MikeO]

Mathis is probably lying. The NFL laid it out perfectly in their statement

"The drug for which Mr. Mathis tested positive is not approved by the FDA for fertility in males and is a performance-enhancing drug that has been prohibited for years. Importantly, Mr. Mathis did not consult with the policy's Independent Administrator, a physician jointly approved by the NFL and NFL Players Association. Nor did he consult with his team doctor, the team's training staff, the NFLPA, the league office or the hotline established under the policy to give confidential information to players. Each of these sources would have warned against using this substance."

IF he is telling the truth all Mathis had to do was contact the team doctor or the league to find out if it was ok to take, he did neither. No personal responsibility. Anyway if he didn't have a failed test or two already he wouldn't have been suspended. This wasn't his first strike. Tough to feel sorry for him.

[Brian Fein]

No personal responsibility.

From his statement:


"I made the mistake of not calling the NFL or NFLPA to double check before I took the medication at the end of last season . . . I regret that I didn’t cross check what my doctor told me before I took the medication.”

Sounds like he is taking personal responsibility to me.

[MikeO]

Sounds like he is taking personal responsibility to me.

So then why did he appeal the suspension at first? Taking "responsibility" it admitting you messed up and not appealing trying to get out of it!

[Brian Fein]

if you feel that it is a misunderstanding and that maybe the commissioner would be sympathetic to the situation and allow him to try to procreate under medical assistance, and NOT that he's roiding up, then of course you appeal.  Why would you not?

[MikeO]

if you feel that it is a misunderstanding and that maybe the commissioner would be sympathetic to the situation and allow him to try to procreate under medical assistance, and NOT that he's roiding up, then of course you appeal.  Why would you not?

agree to disagree on this one. What he took was a clear PED and the NFL has stated such and if he was expecting sympathy or thinks he could pass it off as a misunderstanding he was fooling himself. I'm not sure many people are buying the "fertility" story anyway.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

if you feel that it is a misunderstanding and that maybe the commissioner would be sympathetic to the situation and allow him to try to procreate under medical assistance, and NOT that he's roiding up, then of course you appeal.  Why would you not?

I am not buying.  

In order to get suspended you need to fail three tests.  One to get into stage one, a second to get to stage 2, and then a third to get suspended.  If you don't stop after the second warning you are an idiot.

The drug he took is not approved by the FDA for fertility.  So, let see..Mathis is lying or the doctor is grossly incompetent.

Mathis and his wife already have twins.   

The drug is on the list which is listed here:  http://images.nflplayers.com/mediaResources/files/Banned%20Substance%20List.pdf

This isn't a story about some kid testing positive for heroin after eating a seed danish.

The NFL's list is in the public domain.  The drug is listed by the name that was prescribed, it isn't like he missed it because it was under a different name and didn't make the connection. 

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I am not buying.  

In order to get suspended you need to fail three tests.  One to get into stage one, a second to get to stage 2, and then a third to get suspended.  If you don't stop after the second warning you are an idiot.

The drug he took is not approved by the FDA for fertility.  So, let see..Mathis is lying or the doctor is grossly incompetent.

Mathis and his wife already have twins.   

The drug is on the list which is listed here:  http://images.nflplayers.com/mediaResources/files/Banned%20Substance%20List.pdf

This isn't a story about some kid testing positive for heroin after eating a seed danish.

The NFL's list is in the public domain.  The drug is listed by the name that was prescribed, it isn't like he missed it because it was under a different name and didn't make the connection. 

All he is doing is trying to spin it. 

[RichThrawn]

So then why did in he appeal the suspension at first? Taking "responsibility" it admitting you messed up and not appealing trying to get out of it!

You always appeal stuff like this. Gives you a chance to explain how you made the mistake in hopes that they let you slide

[Brian Fein]

Under section D, Anti-Estrogenic agents.  

Do you know what Chlomiphene is?

Educate yourself:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clomifene

Clomifene citrate has been found very effective in the treatment of secondary male hypogonadism in many cases.[12] This has shown to be a much more attractive option than testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in many cases because of the reduced cost and convenience of taking a pill as opposed to testosterone injections or gels.[13] Unlike traditional TRT it also does not shrink the testes and as a result can enhance fertility. Traditional TRT has the risk of inducing a chemical gonadectomy, although with monitoring and low-dose hCG as adjunct, this is usually preventable and reversible.[14] Because clomifene citrate has not been FDA approved for use in males it is prescribed off-label.

You guys are being closed-minded.  Its possible that he was prescribed this by his doctor as a way to avoid other drugs that were against the list as well (testosterone injections would almost certainly be a violation).  Of course, he's a dummy for not checking it, but sometimes you have to trust your doctors.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

^^^^ next paragraph....

Recreational use[edit]
Clomifene is commonly used by male users to bind the estrogen receptors in their bodies, thereby blocking the effects of estrogen, such as gynecomastia. It also restores the body's natural production of testosterone.[18] It is included on the World Anti-Doping Agency list of illegal doping agents in sport.[19]

---

Come on seriously...., if the doctor gave this to him by accident the doctor should lose his licence.  According to Mathis his doctor said it wasn't on the banned substance list.  I found it on the banned substance list in 30 seconds.   

[Brian Fein]

^^ Again, I'm not saying he shouldn't have double checked.  Lesson learned.  What I am saying is that his story is completely plausible and I believe it.  You, and others, automatically assume he's lying and making up an excuse.

What's the difference, the end result is the same.  Banned substances are banned substances, period.  He should have checked it himself, and he admitted that in his statement.  The error here is (1) the doctor is clearly not familiar enough with the banned substance list to be making such statements, and (2) Mathis took a non-expert's word for it as fact.

[MikeO]

You guys are being closed-minded.  Its possible that he was prescribed this by his doctor as a way to avoid other drugs that were against the list as well (testosterone injections would almost certainly be a violation).  Of course, he's a dummy for not checking it, but sometimes you have to trust your doctors.

I think he got caught and came up with a lame excuse with this fertility nonsense. No different than Ryan Braun blaming the UPS guy or the German Olympian claiming his toothpaste was spiked. Mathis is a repeat offender and he can't be trusted or believed.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I think he got caught and came up with a lame excuse with this fertility nonsense. No different than Ryan Braun blaming the UPS guy or the German Olympian claiming his toothpaste was spiked. Mathis is a repeat offender and he can't be trusted or believed.

Bingo.

Manny Ramirez is innocent too.  So is Lance Armstrong.  A-rod, & Barry Bonds too.