Robert Mathis Takes Paternity Leave

[Van Everyman]

Robert Mathis Cites Male Fertility Drug For Failed Drug Test

Today the NFL announced that Colts linebacker Robert Mathis will serve a four-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy. Mathis quickly released a statement, with an explanation we haven't heard before: He was taking a fertility drug to help his wife get pregnant...and it worked.

Mathis's statement:

"It is difficult for me to address the circumstances surrounding this suspension because they involve very personal medical information, but it is very important to me that my fans, particularly young people, understand what did and did not occur. Like many families, my wife and I faced fertility challenges, and I sought medical assistance. I specifically asked the doctor if the medication he prescribed for me would present a problem for NFL drug testing, and unfortunately, he incorrectly told me that it would not. 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.

"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. I am deeply saddened that this situation will prevent me from contributing to my team for four games, and I regret that I didn't cross check what my doctor told me before I took the medication. I hope that my fans will understand the unique circumstances involved here and continue to know that I am a man of integrity who would never intentionally circumvent the performance enhancing substance policy agreed to by the NFL and my union.

"The incredible blessing of this very upsetting situation is that, after I took the medication very briefly at the end of last season, we learned that my wife is expecting a baby. We are thrilled that we will be welcoming a new member in several months, but I apologize to my teammates, coaches and Colts fans that I will not be able to contribute to my team for the first four weeks of the 2014 season. I will work extremely hard during that time to stay in top football shape and will be prepared to contribute immediately upon my return."
The NFL is not allowed to provide details of Mathis's test or his appeal, so as with all these suspensions, we have only his word to go on. Mathis, 33, also had a daughter in February of 2013, and set a career high with 19.5 sacks last season, while tallying 59 tackles, his most since 2006.

http://deadspin.com/robert-mathis-cites-male-fertility-drug-for-failed-drug-1577636770?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

Does anyone believe him?

 

[Tony C]

Sure...pretty involved story that doesn't help him except reputationally. No idea, but I'll buy in.

 

[Van Everyman]

Worse than saying he uses PEDs?

 

[crystalline]

Sure...pretty involved story that doesn't help him except reputationally. No idea, but I'll buy in.

 
Yeah, this was my first reaction too.  I'll take the positive view and believe him.
 
Quick searches turned up:
http://www.stampedeblue.com/2011/7/12/2272063/robert-mathis-and-family-expecting-twins
https://twitter.com/RobertMathis98/status/90447286781480960
He had twins on the way as of Jul 2011.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000350988/article/colts-robert-mathis-suspended-four-games-for-peds
This article says the twins were born in 2012 and there's a few articles mentioning them with his wife at games watching.
 
edit: correct the dates

 

[NDame616]

No, don't buy it in anyway shape or form. Anyone on the planet who is "really" involved in working out, supplements, etc knows people take this drug for a PCT (post cycle therapy) to help steroid users with their hormones after taking a cycle. There is no way any professional athlete, who has spend hundreds of hours a year in the gym with the best trainers in the country, did not know this.
 
The true story is probably closer to he took a designer steroid that the league can't detect and took clomid after the fact as a PCT.
 
I also never believe anyone who took anything without asking the union, his agent, the league, etc. How the hell would his fertility doctor know what's in the CBA?

 

[Ed Hillel]

His agent was on Sportscenter saying this all happened because his mother has stage 4 cancer and they want to have another child before she dies. Using the cancer card here is pretty weak.

 

[Sox and Rocks]

Yeah, I used to play college football and, from that experience, know a little something about steroids.  At first, I simply heard Mathis' excuse without hearing what he took, and I started to buy in.  But then I heard it was Clomid that he tested positive for, and now I don't believe him. 
 
Clomid is on the banned list for a reason:  it is (or can be) performance enhancing.  Either Mathis is a liar or he is incredibly stupid for taking it without knowing better and not checking.  Either way, he deserves his punishment.  

 

[cannonball 1729]

Yeah, I used to play college football and, from that experience, know a little something about steroids.  At first, I simply heard Mathis' excuse without hearing what he took, and I started to buy in.  But then I heard it was Clomid that he tested positive for, and now I don't believe him. 
 
Clomid is on the banned list for a reason:  it is (or can be) performance enhancing.  Either Mathis is a liar or he is incredibly stupid for taking it without knowing better and not checking.  Either way, he deserves his punishment.  

 
Right.  Clomid is what Jason Giambi and the other BALCOers used to take, and is pretty similar to the drug that Manny was busted for.

 

[Comeback Kid]

Manny even used the same excuse IIRC.