Mathis suspended first 4 games of 2014.

[PrincetonTiger]

Hey Colts Fans, relax we STILL got this!!! Mathis will be back in no time!!!

Very true Brock

[akcolt]

He claims it was fertility drugs that caused him to fail. Why wouldn't the commish hear him out and review it, but he'll let a dog killer and someone who shot himself get things overturned and back in?

Both those dudes did their time and were out of the league hard to take the high road when we bring in a punk who turned police informant to save his butt.

 

That being said if it was the first time probably not a problem given the story. It sounds like the commish heard him out and suspended him. This really stinks but you have to be smarter than that especially if you have been busted once already. 

 

Maybe a star will be born if not back to business in 4 weeks.

[cbear]

Ok, looks like this was his first violation.  More understandable.  Frankly, if there is an appeal process and they don't grant him one for his circumstances, I don't know what they would grant a waiver for.  Still though, he should have contacted the league, especially in this day and age.

[ColtsBlueFL]

Link?

 

Section 6, page 8

 

http://images.nflplayers.com/mediaResources/files/PDFs/PlayerDevelopment/2010%20Steroid%20Policy.pdf

[ColtsBlueFL]

Clomid is a fertility drug for women to make them ovulate.  It is written off-label by doctors to help increase testosterone production in men.  Fertility doctors use clomid or HCG in men to increase testosterone production which in turn increases sperm count. 

 

There is also another side to this coin. Not saying which oine is true, just sayin' -

 

"Clomid is using in the bodybuilding community as a testosterone stimulant. This drug is used when you end a cycle of steroids to help bring your natural levels of testosterone back up to normal. Clomid's mechanism of action occurs through the hypothalamohypophysial testicular axis (HPTA)."

 

"Clomid is usually used once you finish a cycle of steroids, and it is employed for the 2-3 weeks following it. The recommended dose of Clomid is 50mg to 100mg ED, although some will opt to do a high front load (200mg+) on the first day and continue to taper down as the days go on."

 

http://tnation.t-nation.com/free_online_forum/sports_training_performance_bodybuilding_gear/_how_to_properly_cycle_off_steroids_while_keeping_your_gains

[Dustin]

Goddell doesnt personally suspend people...Robert tested positive...and he seems to accept the suspension..

....He seems to admit that he knows he took something that is on the banned list.

..and like many have said..you dont get suspended for the first positive test..

at least he'll be healthy for game 5 and beyond

You do get suspended flr a first time offense for PEDs.

[MTC]

I'm still furious over the suspension.

I don't care what anyone tells me, this suspension is a crime.

[Dustin]

There is also another side to this coin. Not saying which oine is true, just sayin' -

"Clomid is using in the bodybuilding community as a testosterone stimulant. This drug is used when you end a cycle of steroids to help bring your natural levels of testosterone back up to normal. Clomid's mechanism of action occurs through the hypothalamohypophysial testicular axis (HPTA)."

"Clomid is usually used once you finish a cycle of steroids, and it is employed for the 2-3 weeks following it. The recommended dose of Clomid is 50mg to 100mg ED, although some will opt to do a high front load (200mg+) on the first day and continue to taper down as the days go on."

http://tnation.t-nation.com/free_online_forum/sports_training_performance_bodybuilding_gear/_how_to_properly_cycle_off_steroids_while_keeping_your_gains

Right. The problem is that he only took the drug for 10 days, and it's unlikely he was on a cycle during the season.

[MTC]

All Mathis wanted was another child.

[akcolt]

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.

Doesn't it take at least 10 days on the dot from intercourse to the time you can detect a pregnancy? That sounds fishy he took for just ten days doesn't really change anything.

 

It is a great excuse for violating the leagues substance abuse policy but the fact is he violated the policy got caught and has to pay the price. If the story is true than it is really unfortunate but you would think if you knew you were taking something to produce more man power you would check especially if you have been in the league as long as Mathis.

 

Colts will be fine as for Manning he hates the pocket being pushed up in his face we needed to get push in the middle. Which is right where I think team are going to try to come at Denver this year Moreno was the blitz pick up back I really think they are going to miss him.

 

Philly is really a running team that is Chips game if we can't stop Shady Mathis wouldn't matter anyway. I personally think we will be fine for 4 games. I think the D is ready to turn the corner this stinks but we can overcome it that what we do we are the COLTS.

 

The testing system really needs to be looked at in my opinion

[ColtJ82]

He would have been suspended last season if so, he got tested throughout it and was fine.

You sure about that? This had to be his second violation to get suspended.

[chrisfarley]

Just like JMV said on the radio today.  This is going to change how people perceive Robert Mathis' legacy.  Something like this does irreparable damage.  I still am pinching myself.  Too many questions, not enough answers:

 

1) why did he not check it out with the trainers/doctor staff with the Colts.  The Colts even have a nutritionist. 

 

2) why not run it by the NFL's testing / anti-doping department?

 

3) why have they not released the name of the drug?

 

4) Why are the Colts not saying very much?
 

Look, I trust what Robert says and I believe him as should the world.  But, man, why this cat has to go through this and have this happen, I just don't know.  He is our defensive horse.  Just don't see us winning many games in first four weeks.

[Dustin]

Just like JMV said on the radio today. This is going to change how people perceive Robert Mathis' legacy. Something like this does irreparable damage. I still am pinching myself. Too many questions, not enough answers:

1) why did he not check it out with the trainers/doctor staff with the Colts. The Colts even have a nutritionist.

2) why not run it by the NFL's testing / anti-doping department?

3) why have they not released the name of the drug?

4) Why are the Colts not saying very much?

Look, I trust what Robert says and I believe him as should the world. But, man, why this cat has to go through this and have this happen, I just don't know. He is our defensive horse. Just don't see us winning many games in first four weeks.

They did release the name of the drug.

[akcolt]

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.

His story makes it seem that way everyone has a story. IT is pretty simple you are required to submit to drug test as part of your job if you fail you are suspended. Robert Mathis is not a dumb person he knows the rules.

 

It is almost like if he really did it on accident he deserves the suspension for being that dumb. Ignorance is never an excuse that is going to hold water especially in this situation you check before you put anything in your body.  You are a professional athlete that is part of his responsibility. Is anyone accountable for anything anymore?

 

I love Mathis probably my favorite Colt. I am going to miss him but he did it he knew the rules

[akcolt]

Just like JMV said on the radio today.  This is going to change how people perceive Robert Mathis' legacy.  Something like this does irreparable damage.  I still am pinching myself.  Too many questions, not enough answers:

 

1) why did he not check it out with the trainers/doctor staff with the Colts.  The Colts even have a nutritionist. 

 

2) why not run it by the NFL's testing / anti-doping department?

 

3) why have they not released the name of the drug?

 

4) Why are the Colts not saying very much?

 

Look, I trust what Robert says and I believe him as should the world.  But, man, why this cat has to go through this and have this happen, I just don't know.  He is our defensive horse.  Just don't see us winning many games in first four weeks.

If we can't win without one player and that player's name is not Luck we are not a very good team. It takes 11 we will be fine. 4-0

[Douzer]

Mathis has a legacy of high integrity and good character. I have every reason to believe his take on the matter, and believe family is more important than football if forced to choose between the two. So regardless of the strict adherence to the rules the league followed, and unless Roberts words are proven to be untruthful, I'll stand by Robert.

[akcolt]

You sure about that? This had to be his second violation to get suspended.

They posted a link earlier in the thread PED's 4 game  suspension after one dirty. It appears it is his first dirty from what I have read.

[Dustin]

Mathis' twin boys were concieved by fertiliy drugs via Stephen Holder. It's really starting to look like Mathis made a dumb decision by not checking with the NFLPA.

[akcolt]

Mathis has a legacy of high integrity and good character. I have every reason to believe his take on the matter, and believe family is more important than football if forced to choose between the two. So regardless of the strict adherence to the rules the league followed, and unless Roberts words are proven to be untruthful, I'll stand by Robert.

Choose between family and football come on man keep it real.

 

I stand by Mathis but this is not a case of choosing family over his job it's either being very careless and not doing your job or trying to pull a fast one. I just have a hard time believing Mathis is not smarter than that but if that is what he said happened I believe him.

[Hoosierdome93]

The union has worked very closely with me to present all of the facts and medical records for consideration of discipline that does not include a suspension because of the unique facts of my case, but the Commissioner refused the request," Mathis said

 

This sucks!

 

 

After reading the cause of Robert Mathis's positive result

I respect and support Robert Mathis and I'm positive the rest of the Colts Nation does as well.

 

 

 

[reddmmann]

Not being a smartbutt.  Any doctor giving a man a prescription of clomid knows what it is going to do inside of the body.  It is going to increase testosterone production.  That's the sole purpose of giving clomid to a man in the first place.  Anything that increases testosterone in a professional football player is going to be a red flag.

 

He is stupid for not checking with the league first.  Just plain stupid.  No defense for that. 

Or  he could have done what I did and simply googled "NFL banned substance list". Clomid is on page 3....

[Hoosierdome93]

If we can't win without one player and that player's name is not Luck we are not a very good team. It takes 11 we will be fine. 4-0

The name of the drug was Clomid

[Hoosierdome93]

If we can't win without one player and that player's name is not Luck we are not a very good team. It takes 11 we will be fine. 4-0

 

Just like JMV said on the radio today.  This is going to change how people perceive Robert Mathis' legacy.  Something like this does irreparable damage.  I still am pinching myself.  Too many questions, not enough answers:

 

1) why did he not check it out with the trainers/doctor staff with the Colts.  The Colts even have a nutritionist. 

 

2) why not run it by the NFL's testing / anti-doping department?

 

3) why have they not released the name of the drug?

 

4) Why are the Colts not saying very much?

 

Look, I trust what Robert says and I believe him as should the world.  But, man, why this cat has to go through this and have this happen, I just don't know.  He is our defensive horse.  Just don't see us winning many games in first four weeks.

Clomid is the name of the drug

[Hoosierdome93]

I'm still furious over the suspension.

I don't care what anyone tells me, this suspension is a crime.

I'm * that the commissioner wont even look at his medical records and consider the fact that he was doing it to have children.

[Gavin]

http://images.nflplayers.com/mediaResources/files/Banned%20Substance%20List.pdf

 

 

 

These are the banned substances, Clomid is indeed on that list

[Dustin]

http://images.nflplayers.com/mediaResources/files/Banned%20Substance%20List.pdf

PDF warning.

These are the banned substances

[Gavin]

 

http://images.nflplayers.com/mediaResources/files/Banned%20Substance%20List.pdf

PDF warning.

These are the banned substances

 

Huh?

[krunk]

When will Goodell show that he has some kind of a heart?

[bavanlan]

This seems like it was done hastily and unfortunately, when you rush things, sometimes bad things happen.  It's not some subtle thing either, it's right there on the banned substances list.

 

If what Mathis is saying is true however, I hope the Doctor has great malpractice insurance, because he's getting ready to be sued for millions.

[ColtJ82]

They posted a link earlier in the thread PED's 4 game  suspension after one dirty. It appears it is his first dirty from what I have read.

Not sure if this is the old one or not......

 

http://images.nflplayers.com/mediaResources/files/PDFs/PlayerDevelopment/2010%20Drug%20Policy.pdf

 

Discipline for Second Failure to Comply in Stage Two:

A player who has two Positive Tests in Stage Two; or fails 

twice, as determined by the Medical Director, to comply 

with his Treatment Plan in Stage Two; or has a Positive 

Test and fails to comply with his Treatment Plan, as 

determined by the Medical Director; or fails to cooperate

with testing, treatment, evaluation or other requirements 

imposed on him by this Policy, as determined by the 

Medical Director, will incur:

(a) A suspension for the period of time to cover four 

consecutive regular and post season games 

(including the Pro Bowl, if selected) without pay if 

the player was fined pursuant to Section E.2.b.(1)(a) 

above; and

[deedub75]

There are so many holes in Mathis' statement, I don't know what to believe.  I looked at Dr. Morganstern's website and he is not a fertility specialist.  He is a urologist in Atlanta but not a fertility specialist.  Most urologists will refer patients looking to conceive to a urologist who specializes in fertility.  This doctor specializes in Anti-Aging which means he prescribes a lot of HGH, HCG, Clomid, testosterone, etc.  Anti-Aging specialists work to increase testosterone in men to increase muscle mass and slow the aging process.  He's been in practice for 32 years.  I'm sure if they dig deeper into his records, he's probably seen a lot of athletes.  He's been on multiple TV shows and talks shows.  These Anti-Aging clinics are popping up all over the place.   

 

This statement really concerns me:

 

"To help give her another grandchild, Mathis began consulting a physician, Dr. Steven Morganstern in Atlanta, about fertility drugs. His wife, Brandi, was unable to take them due to a health situation, so the doctor recommended Mathis taking Clomid to speed up the process."

 

Clomid is a fertility drug for women.  It helps women ovulate.  If his wife was having the fertility problem, why would they go see and Anti-Aging specialist instead of a fertility specialist?  How does having Mathis take Clomid because of a health situation with his wife speed up the process?  The only medical issue that I can think of that would keep a woman from taking Clomid is if she had fibroids and fibroids make it hard for a woman to get pregnant.  Clomid just doesn't work that way.  That just doesn't make any sense. 

 

Also, this doctor seems to be an expert with these types of drugs.  How could he possibly tell Mathis that taking Clomid would not get him suspended from the NFL?  It's on the banned substance list. 

 

If you Google Clomid and testosterone cycle, you'll see that Clomid is commonly used at the end of a testosterone cycle. 

[GoColts8818]

I'm * that the commissioner wont even look at his medical records and consider the fact that he was doing it to have children.

he can't just let Mathis off for this or it sets a dangerous predicament where someone can be doing this for other reason and then say but I was just trying to have a kid and you let Mathis off for that!

I don't like this either but it's Mathis fault for not getting it double checked. He has admitted that much himself. Mathis made a mistake and has to pay the price for it. Even with good reasoning for what he was trying to do.

[Dustin]

Not sure if this is the old one or not......

http://images.nflplayers.com/mediaResources/files/PDFs/PlayerDevelopment/2010%20Drug%20Policy.pdf

Discipline for Second Failure to Comply in Stage Two:

A player who has two Positive Tests in Stage Two; or fails

twice, as determined by the Medical Director, to comply

with his Treatment Plan in Stage Two; or has a Positive

Test and fails to comply with his Treatment Plan, as

determined by the Medical Director; or fails to cooperate

with testing, treatment, evaluation or other requirements

imposed on him by this Policy, as determined by the

Medical Director, will incur:

(a) A suspension for the period of time to cover four

consecutive regular and post season games

(including the Pro Bowl, if selected) without pay if

the player was fined pursuant to Section E.2.b.(1)(a)

above; and

That's the drug policy.

[Narcosys]

Whatever! He's been playing long enough to know that he should run any medication through the league and NFLPA.

The fertility drugs that men generally take are HCG and Clomid. I'm sure he knows that HCG is off limits but why not ask the league and NFLPA? Is it really that hard to ask?

the thing is, if he's taking it, it's because his testosterone is low already. So all this would be doing is bringing it back up to normal levels. Shouldn't be an issue.

[ColtJ82]

That's the drug policy.

Ahhh....I thought they were one in the same

[Hoosierdome93]

Sadly nothing can be done because the drug Clomid is not approved by the FDA for fertility.

[deedub75]

the thing is, if he's taking it, it's because his testosterone is low already. So all this would be doing is bringing it back up to normal levels. Shouldn't be an issue.

 

A man with testosterone levels low enough to warrant medication would not be able to keep a muscular physique like Mathis.  Levels have to be pretty low (below 300 ng/dl) before doctors will prescribe medication.  Men Mathis' age should be in the range of 500+ng/dl.  An elite athlete would be way more than that. 

 

Also, a man with below 300 ng/dl of testosterone could barely function much less play NFL football. 

[Hoosierdome93]

he can't just let Mathis off for this or it sets a dangerous predicament where someone can be doing this for other reason and then say but I was just trying to have a kid and you let Mathis off for that!

I don't like this either but it's Mathis fault for not getting it double checked. He has admitted that much himself. Mathis made a mistake and has to pay the price for it. Even with good reasoning for what he was trying to do.

True and I just read that the drug Clomid is not approved for fertility so there is nothing that can be done.

[akcolt]

When will Goodell show that he has some kind of a heart?

It stinks but you guys there is a thing called personal responsibility. It was Robert's job his job to make sure he was not breaking a rule that would result in him being suspended for 4 games. This stinks I agree with that but this is not the commissi

 

If he had said hey I want to give this drug a shot to try and have kids and the commish said no then it would be choosing

family over football. That is not what happened he did not check on a drug I really have a hard time believing he would not at least think man is this cool and not make sure before taking it.

 

Mathis took a pill that is on the banned list I find it hard to believe he is not smarter than that but I love Robert Mathis and I will believe his story until someone proves otherwise.

 

If you want to be upset with someone be upset with Mathis. Think about your job whatever it is think about the number one thing you are not allowed to do..... you do it and say oh I didn't realize it c'mon. Don't see how anyone can blame Goodell for enforcing the rules the players agreed too and get paid a lot of money to adhere to.   

[Danfish98]

There are so many holes in Mathis' statement, I don't know what to believe.  I looked at Dr. Morganstern's website and he is not a fertility specialist.  He is a urologist in Atlanta but not a fertility specialist.  Most urologists will refer patients looking to conceive to a urologist who specializes in fertility.  This doctor specializes in Anti-Aging which means he prescribes a lot of HGH, HCG, Clomid, testosterone, etc.  Anti-Aging specialists work to increase testosterone in men to increase muscle mass and slow the aging process.  He's been in practice for 32 years.  I'm sure if they dig deeper into his records, he's probably seen a lot of athletes.  He's been on multiple TV shows and talks shows.  These Anti-Aging clinics are popping up all over the place.   

 

This statement really concerns me:

 

"To help give her another grandchild, Mathis began consulting a physician, Dr. Steven Morganstern in Atlanta, about fertility drugs. His wife, Brandi, was unable to take them due to a health situation, so the doctor recommended Mathis taking Clomid to speed up the process."

 

Clomid is a fertility drug for women.  It helps women ovulate.  If his wife was having the fertility problem, why would they go see and Anti-Aging specialist instead of a fertility specialist?  How does having Mathis take Clomid because of a health situation with his wife speed up the process?  The only medical issue that I can think of that would keep a woman from taking Clomid is if she had fibroids and fibroids make it hard for a woman to get pregnant.  Clomid just doesn't work that way.  That just doesn't make any sense. 

 

Also, this doctor seems to be an expert with these types of drugs.  How could he possibly tell Mathis that taking Clomid would not get him suspended from the NFL?  It's on the banned substance list. 

 

If you Google Clomid and testosterone cycle, you'll see that Clomid is commonly used at the end of a testosterone cycle. 

My theory is that Mathis knew this might happen but the doctor told him it was his best shot at getting his wife pregnant so he rolled the dice.  Very bummed this happened, but I'm not going to fault the guy for putting his family ahead of his job.