Mathis suspended first 4 games of 2014.

[nburgmei]

"Dear Robert,

 

Congratulations on your wife's pregnancy. I have already gotten you a gift. It's a shiny new 4-game suspension courtesy of sticking my fingers in my ears and archaic, zero-tolerance policies! I hope you enjoy it.

 

Sincerely,

 

Commissioner Goodell

 

P.S. If you have a boy, I'll go ahead and give you an additional 4-games off for his violating future safety rules by grabbing the QB's flag a little too close to his belt."

[Dustin]

Engelhard said that Mathis only took Clomid for 10 days, and stopped when his wife got pregnant. Said the NFL questioned his doc under oath.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer)

May 16, 2014

[Flash7]

If you look at this from an outside perspective:

 

a) Mathis is a savvy vet. He knows what he should take and what he should avoid.

b) Goodell has been provided with supporting documents from Mathis and his doctor and Goodell still denied the appeal.

C) Mathis is not the first player to take a substance "without knowing" and be suspended. Goodell isn't out to get Mathis or the Colts.

 

I think that after taking everything into consideration, it's obvious that Goodell has decided to uphold his ruling. There hasn't to my knowledge, been someone tested for using PEDs and said, "Ya caught me. Yep, I did it." There's always a story.

 

If you wanna believe Mathis' story....that's fine. I think he knew what he was doing and got caught. (No I don't have proof of this).

[coltsfanej]

After hearing from mathis i now like goodell less. Now maybe our presnap words will be roger goodell is a no good you kno what. Just like peytons

[Superman]

Engelhard said that Mathis only took Clomid for 10 days, and stopped when his wife got pregnant. Said the NFL questioned his doc under oath.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer)

May 16, 2014

 

If that's true, that really sucks. Might also be that Mathis was trying to get one over and hope that he wouldn't be tested in that window. But you have to consider the source. His agent is going to present a version of the story that is sympathetic to Mathis.

[snkdy]

https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/status/467434943799640064

Under oath? Just wow.

[Superman]

I don't know. I don't think Adongo would still be on the roster right now if he was just some cute experiment Grigson is keeping around for a bit. I think whatever he's shown the staff was enough for him to at least be considered in the hunt to back up Werner/Walden. I think the hype around Newsome being the most recently acquired pass rusher has people placing higher expectations on him than they probably should. He was a 5th round draft pick, not a 1st, 2nd or 3rd

 

That's all very fair. But apples to apples, just based on the information I have right now, if I had to choose a guy to play Rush backer, I'd go with Newsome. First, I really like him, and second, he has more football experience. Adongo is quite a prospect, but he's also a project. I think for him to make the final 53 and contribute on special teams would be quite an accomplishment at this point. For Newsome, that's bare minimum, or he's a terrible pick.

[Horse Shoe Heaven]

I'm a Rams fan, but I just heard about this and remembered I made an account on this forum. Sorry about the loss, it really sucks. I imagine losing one of your best players like that has to really blow when you're expecting a playoff run. 

 

Just a question, could PEDs be part of the reason his performance increased dramatically this last season? No disrespect intended, just curious. I would hope not, because I have the utmost respect for him. 

No the guys has always been great!!!!

[nburgmei]

If that's true, that really sucks. Might also be that Mathis was trying to get one over and hope that he wouldn't be tested in that window. But you have to consider the source. His agent is going to present a version of the story that is sympathetic to Mathis.

I have zero functional knowledge of PEDs. Would taking Clomid for ten days be worth "trying to get one over"? Would ten days of PEDs make a difference?

[Larry Horseman]

If that's true, that really sucks. Might also be that Mathis was trying to get one over and hope that he wouldn't be tested in that window. But you have to consider the source. His agent is going to present a version of the story that is sympathetic to Mathis.

 

Right. I obviously want to believe RM (and think I do), but truth is we will never know, and I don't blame RG for not reversing the suspension. It is too slippery of a slope. While a doctor would purger himself under oath for enough money, I just don't want to believe that RM is that devious. To be honest, I could care less if he, or anyone else, is using PEDs, and I think no less of him if he was intentionally trying to enhance his on-field performance. I would think a lot less of him if he was putting forth this elaborate of a cover up and lying. 

 

The main point is that he should have cleared it with the league, if it was just for fertility, and he didn't, so he's suspended. That said, it took the league a long time (in NFL terms) to make the final ruling so it must have been a tough decision for them. 

[Superman]

I have zero functional knowledge of PEDs. Would taking Clomid for ten days be worth "trying to get one over"? Would ten days of PEDs make a difference?

 

I mean that he knew it was a banned substance and took it anyways, hoping he wouldn't be tested for awhile. Not that he was taking it to improve his play on the field.

[BlueShoe]

That's speculation, at best. Newsome looked more like a project pick than an immediate impact player, in my opinion. I would think Daniel Adongo would be next in line to get more PT at this point. Goes without saying, we have a serious with our pass rush if Werner or someone can't step up

Is absolutely speculation. That said, when Josh Gordon was suspended, the interesting information that came out was the owner and the GM knew long before the coach did that Gordon would be suspended. By rule the owner nor the GM can say anything to the coaches or the media. John Clayton explained it is a quirky rule established in the new CBA.

[Dustin]

Did we get an official statement from the league?

[Larry Horseman]

I have zero functional knowledge of PEDs. Would taking Clomid for ten days be worth "trying to get one over"? Would ten days of PEDs make a difference?

 

I'm not an expert, but I think you take it for 3-4 weeks after a steroid cycle to bring your testosterone back up to normal levels. 

[deedub75]

I have been a staunch defender of Goodell and that he usually does what is in the best interest of the game. This, though, is indefensible. I am very disappointed in the commissioner's office for their stance on this subject. Very. 

 

It seems Mathis has presented every bit of evidence to show that this is a wrongful punishment, but they just won't be reasonable. 

 

I am very disappointed in Goodell over this. 

 

The NFLPA needs to put their big boy pants on and step up and defend their own in this case. 

 

Don't forget that there would be no need for evidence or defense had Mathis just picked up the phone and asked his agent could he take clomid.  There is a list of banned drugs for a reason whether or not we believe that the policy is right or wrong.  They all have access to the list and I'm sure they get briefed on it at least yearly.  There is no way NFLPA can defend this. 

[crazycolt1]

A lot of fans can blame the NFL or any number of people. The bottom line it is Mathis who is responsible for knowing what and what not to put into his body. I really like Mathis but this bone head deed he did may cost the Colts some wins. He was the only real threat from the linebackers last season. Time for some other players to step up.

[deedub75]

If Mathis did not play for the Colts, we would all be saying how big of a cheater he is not matter what excuse he gave...........

[Superman]

If Mathis did not play for the Colts, we would all be saying how big of a cheater he is not matter what excuse he gave...........

 

I reject this line of reasoning. And it really gets irritating to be told what I would be saying and how I would feel if I weren't such a blind homer.

 

I've argued plenty of times against the inanity of the PED policies throughout pro sports, the Olympics, etc. This has nothing to do with Robert Mathis being a Colt.

[Larry Horseman]

If Mathis did not play for the Colts, we would all be saying how big of a cheater he is not matter what excuse he gave...........

 

I pretty sure I'm in the minority, but PED use (at least the way it is done in currently by the vast majority of athletes who choose to do it...not the 80's roids) doesn't really bother me. There are plenty of positives to HGH, etc. for the human body, particularly one that takes the abuse of a professional athlete. We put premium gas on our BMWs, so....

 

I guess what I'm saying is that there is an overarching sports fan culture where PEDs are viewed as an evil thing that only cheaters do. I tend to view it much differently than that and I think it is too bad that fans get so wrapped up in a narrative still based on a reaction to the steroid era in baseball. 

[coltsfanej]

I think it will be reduced or at least should be given the circumstances. Family is more important than a job. Especially when compared to big ben missing 4 games for rape. Regardless those cant be equal

[deedub75]

Under oath? Just wow.

 

That's the thing.  It doesn't matter how long he took it or even why he took it.  It's on the NFL's banned substance list and he took it anyway. 

 

I know that MLB has a waiver process for some banned substances.  There are MLB players taking Adderall and they have a waiver to take it.  I'm not sure about testosterone or drugs that boost testosterone. 

 

And "under oath" doesn't mean much these days.  Medical records can be doctored and doctors can be paid off.  So what if he did lie "under oath" to the NFL commissioner.  What punishment would that doctor get for lying to Goodell?

[Larry Horseman]

I reject this line of reasoning. And it really gets irritating to be told what I would be saying and how I would feel if I weren't such a blind homer.

 

I've argued plenty of times against the inanity of the PED policies throughout pro sports, the Olympics, etc. This has nothing to do with Robert Mathis being a Colt.

 

I agree with you but I also see deedub's point...see my above post. 

[Boilermaker]

What if Robert was having fertility problems in the first place because of prior steroid use. Mind Blown.

 

[peytonmanning18]

This really sucks, but this is 100% on Robert Mathis.  He took Clomid, he failed a drug test because Clomid is on the banned substance list.  End of story.  

 

If what he says in his statement is true about the doctor telling him that it wouldn't cause a positive test, then I feel sorry for him, but he made the decision to take a banned substance.  Obviously he had concerns about the substance because he asked his doctor, but the doctor does not work for the NFL or NFLPA so Robert has no one else to blame.   

[peytonmanning18]

If Mathis did not play for the Colts, we would all be saying how big of a cheater he is not matter what excuse he gave...........

 

Exactly, if this was JJ Watt, we'd be ripping him to shreds.

[peytonmanning18]

I think it will be reduced or at least should be given the circumstances. Family is more important than a job. Especially when compared to big ben missing 4 games for rape. Regardless those cant be equal

 

Then he should have checked with the league before taking it, not begging for forgiveness after getting caught.

[nburgmei]

If Mathis did not play for the Colts, we would all be saying how big of a cheater he is not matter what excuse he gave...........

If the hypothetical non-Colts Mathis had the same amount of evidence that's been presented in his favor thus far, I don't think too many here would indict him on anything more than making a bad decision. There's blind homerism and then there's recognizing that he did something dumb. So far this seems like a clear case of dumb rather than cheating.

[Superman]

I pretty sure I'm in the minority, but PED use (at least the way it is done in currently by the vast majority of athletes who choose to do it...not the 80's roids) doesn't really bother me. There are plenty of positives to HGH, etc. for the human body, particularly one that takes the abuse of a professional athlete. We put premium gas on our BMWs, so....

 

I guess what I'm saying is that there is an overarching sports fan culture where PEDs are viewed as an evil thing that only cheaters do. I tend to view it much differently than that and I think it is too bad that fans get so wrapped up in a narrative still based on a reaction to the steroid era in baseball. 

 

 

I agree with you but I also see deedub's point...see my above post. 

 

Yeah, I've had this debate many times before. Don't know if you've ever watched Bigger, Faster, Stronger*, but it's a documentary on the steroid saga and how things have changed. It's on Netflix, if you're interested. The whole point is that the overriding reaction to steroids and PEDs is hypocritical, especially since it's unevenly applied to pro athletes in comparison with how we apply it to ourselves.

[Superman]

Exactly, if this was JJ Watt, we'd be ripping him to shreds.

 

Why not speak for yourself? What's wrong with saying "I'd be ripping him shreds"? How can you presume to know how other people would react?

[Coltivated]

A dongo ate you're baby

[PrincetonTiger]

It is time for Daniel Adongo to step up

[dgambill]

I would love to believe him but it's very hard. Regardless even if it's true he broke the rules. I think a lot of people are being very hypocritical at best here. It's clear what the drugs do and also what they are often used for in regards to steroid usage. Had this been a patriot player the reaction would be swift and harsh. He seems to be a good guy but you can't break the rules and not get punished. Seems a happy resolution with him expecting another child to go with his twins. Hopefully he learns his lesson and others on the team as we'll to not take anything to put them in jeopardy. He easily could have notified the league and done it in the offseason so I don't feel sorry. And what dr. Doesn't know he is a professional football player and this drug would be banned. That's just too stupid to believe. All I can say is serve your suspension and don't do something stupid again.

[PrincetonTiger]

The season is not lost

[CanuckColt]

It is time for Daniel Adongo to step up

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

[peytonmanning18]

Why not speak for yourself? What's wrong with saying "I'd be ripping him shreds"? How can you presume to know how other people would react?

 

Because I've been reading message boards for too long.

[RomanianColtsFan]

Why Robert, why?

[snkdy]

That's the thing. It doesn't matter how long he took it or even why he took it. It's on the NFL's banned substance list and he took it anyway.

I know that MLB has a waiver process for some banned substances. There are MLB players taking Adderall and they have a waiver to take it. I'm not sure about testosterone or drugs that boost testosterone.

And "under oath" doesn't mean much these days. Medical records can be doctored and doctors can be paid off. So what if he did lie "under oath" to the NFL commissioner. What punishment would that doctor get for lying to Goodell?

I agree that Mathis completely at fault for choosing to take a banned substance. I know that many players lie about the circumstances when faced with this kind of situation (and that some doctors will perjure themselves for the right amount) but I'm willing to give Mathis the benefit of the doubt. I'm just irritated that these additional factors didn't warrant another review.

There's no way that a player who has been with the league for so long wouldn't know that increasing your testosterone levels would be grounds for suspension. I just think Mathis was hoping to avoid testing during his short cycle.

[deedub75]

I reject this line of reasoning. And it really gets irritating to be told what I would be saying and how I would feel if I weren't such a blind homer.

 

I've argued plenty of times against the inanity of the PED policies throughout pro sports, the Olympics, etc. This has nothing to do with Robert Mathis being a Colt.

 

You can reject it or accept it but that doesn't mean that it doesn't happen.

 

There has to be some sort of policy against PEDs or PED usage would get out of control to the point where athletes seriously hurt or even kill themselves.  There's just no way to control the PED usage if PEDs were allowed.  Athletes would just take higher and higher dosages to try the gain an advantage over the next athlete.  These drugs are controlled for a reason - to keep average people like me and you from having uncontrolled access to these drugs and doing harm to our bodies. Without a physician monitoring the usage of these drugs and people getting blood tested on a regular basis, these drugs are very dangerous. 

 

In fact, people who have taken PEDs like steroids or testosterone injections become infertile.  Their testes shut down.  Then when they actually want to have a child they can't.  They have to go to a fertility specialist and admit they've taken steroids illegally and then have to take drugs like clomid or HCG to try to "restart" their testes. 

[GoRams1965]

Well, hopefully the Rams would be willing to trade you guys Michael Sam. That guy is getting on my nerves, not because he's gay, but because of the media attention. Ya'll can have him. He's no Mathis, but not many guys are.

 

Seriously though, take him please.

[dgambill]

I reject this line of reasoning. And it really gets irritating to be told what I would be saying and how I would feel if I weren't such a blind homer.

 

I've argued plenty of times against the inanity of the PED policies throughout pro sports, the Olympics, etc. This has nothing to do with Robert Mathis being a Colt.

I think his quote is directed at all those outraged he got suspended as we're mine. Same people that hate on other teams yet CANT accept it happening to one of ours. Not u or those that have had very reasonable responses to this.