One would think all professional athletes would know that taking the ‘tainted supplement’ route isn’t a winning strategy. However, after being hit with a 10-game suspension, Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson has come out and done just that.
Johnson told Philly.com that he plans on suing the manufacturer of an amino acid supplement he was taking that allegedly caused his PED positive test. He also has a new diet idea to help him steer clear of a third positive test and a two-year suspension that would likely end his career — just straight food and water.
“Food and water. That’s all I’m going to put in my system. Food and water. No supplements, no powders, nothing,” said Johnson.
He also went on to tell Philly.com that he feels “stuck in cement and “a little bit more (ticked) off each day” at the system that has him in the situation he is in. Oh, and then he decided to let everyone know his plan to sue the supplement manufacturer at question.
With the NFL putting the onus on the players for what they take and what is put in their bodies, it is understandable that players who do take care to watch the ingredients of what they are putting in their bodies would be upset over a positive test.
“Yeah,” Johnson said, via NJ.com. “Seriously. I don’t want to go through this stuff again. Unless something changes in the policy, I don’t trust anything. That’s the big risk with of supplements. The FDA doesn’t regulate it. People can put stuff in there. Unless you test it, you really don’t know what it is.”
It’s even more frustrating because the NFL doesn’t have a list of approved supplements, just a list of banned items and often times even the most careful of individuals can get caught up.
Whether one believes Johnson or not in this case, it does raise some red flags over how the NFL treats its PED testing and its education over what is and isn’t allowed. Johnson may have broken the rules as they stand, but his situation may also show the NFL the steps it needs to take to better protect its players and allow them to be safe while working out.
As for Johnson, it appears unlikely that he will appeal his suspension given the length of it and the length of the appeals process.
