Hard Facts And High Hopes

I’m sure you’ll hear this news eventually, and I’d rather you hear it from me first. I have been suspended for four games by the NFL due to my mistakenly ingesting a banned substance. I apologize to my family, the jets organization, my teammates, fans and friends. This situation occurred purely by accident and was in absolutely no way a result of my
trying to cheat the system put in place by the NFL. However, as a man and a public figure I am aware that I must take full responsibility for everything I do. I also know that it’s just as important to learn from my mistakes and help others avoid them in any way that I can. In the future, I will be more proactive in knowing what substances are banned and EXACTLY what is in everything I put into my body. I truly hope that my mistake does not bring unwanted distractions to my teammates and our ultimate goal of being a championship team. I also hope that you, my fans, will forgive this accidental indiscretion.

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• SportsFamClub said July 02, 2009

  Calvin, While I admire your character and taking responsibility for your actions, how can you MISTAKENLY ingest a banned substance? Your body got you to where you are today. If you were built like an accountant, you wouldn't be in the NFL.
  
  I know there is probably no better way to spin this and just say you screwed up. But to say it was an accident is an insult to the intelligence of the general public. Football fans are passionate, we know this game is the toughest on the planet and it is certainly not easy.
  
  In the end you look like a fool saying it was an accident.
  
  Thanks for being a man and taking responsibility but don't insult us in the future please.
  
  Mike

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• chzsteak said July 02, 2009

  Bro, i'm not sure you know what happened. He took an over the counter supp, the kind you could buy at GNC. It's not like he was on steroids! Calvin, I appreciate you owning up to what you did.

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• JohnnyYank said July 02, 2009

  Hey P-Diddy....time to lay off the corned beef and pastrami sandwiches!!
  
  I agree with chzsteak and appreciate your being candid and owning up to your mistake. On the other hand, Mike is just ignorant and doesn't have a clue about what is going on in the world today with supplements and sports nutrition.
  
  I am an ACCOUNTANT (CPA) and am built like an NFL player....work out regularly and use protein shakes and supplements to help me.....it's not easy being a big guy and trying to slim down........constant battle and only gets worse as you get older.
  
  I would be interested in learning more about which substance you inadvertently ingested. I have recently been reading up on this area in order to obtain a better understanding....check out Victor Conte's new website....www.snac.com...alot of interesting stuff.....I enjoyed his interview on the website and found it informative....I would encourage you to openly discuss your mistake and inform the younger athletes about your experience....so they are aware of the pitfalls with nutritional supplements.
  
  I am glad to see you are staying positive and are focused on your goal....stay the course and don't let the negative hype drag you down.....come back strong and "beastly" this year and continue to show everyone the great player you are!!
  
  Go J E T S ...JETS JETS JETS!! GO P-Diddy!!!!

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• Bookorogie said July 02, 2009

  I think he meant it was an accident in that he didn't know the formulaic content of the over the counter substance he was taking.
  
  Body builders know what substances they're taking but sometimes certain supplements have an improper balance of certain substances that combine to show up as something else in a drug screen.
  
  Watch the movie Bigger Stronger Faster and you'll get an idea of how supplements are put together in this country.

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• aidanpowell said July 02, 2009

  hey calvin i'm really happy that your talking about this incident and not hiding behind closed doors like most stars do when these things come out. your one of my favorite players on the Jets and you had a great season last year and i know you will build on it and be a beast this year. i do believe that it was a mistake that you put this substance in your system but i hope that you dont make the mistake of using performance enhancing drugs EVER. no good can come out of it. you may get physically better but to me, a fan, you become nothing. thanks for owning up and i hope you come back strong. well need you.
  
  peace.

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• Bassett said July 03, 2009

  pace, thanks for explaining, it's just disappointing because the team really needs you, you're a key to the defense. I'm glad you learned from this, and appreciate you being up front, I just wanted to see you planting Tom Brady on his ass Week 2.

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• rustysrf89 said July 03, 2009

  Sounds like the same BS JC Romero went through. Good luck Calvin.

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• aagarcia said July 03, 2009

  Well If you want others to avoid this "same type of mistake", then tell the world what you took! Period. The organization would have provided you anything legal and under the rules you wanted and probably for free. So it's either you are really really dumb or you took this as a masking agent should you get caught for something else.

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• ErikSec309 said July 03, 2009

  I'm sure the NFLPA will not let you set a precedent and tell us what you took. But, I must question the Jets organization and all other organizations if they do not make their players (investments) show them exactly what they're putting into their bodies.

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• jjisthetruth said July 16, 2009

  Preciate the honesty and apology...get you a good doc and clear everything through them. The should be able to access a list of everything that is banned by the NFL and you will know exactally what may have what in it and atleast you wont have to go through this again. Much luck to you

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• KyleCarollo said July 16, 2009

  I was never really a jets fan. Im a detroit lions fan, unfortunately, but i have hope. but anyways, i am now a jets fan, partially, reading you own up to your mistake shows alot. its good to see someone actually man up rather than deny it, good luck when you come back, hit em often, hit em hard.

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