LB Brian Cushing
As of this writing, linebacker, Brian Cushing of the Houston Texans is no longer the Associated Press’ Defensive Rookie of the Year. After being suspended for the first four games of the upcoming 2010 season for a violation of the National Football League’s policy on performance enhancing drugs, the AP has taken the unprecedented step to conduct a revote on whom the award should go to. Cushing’s name remains on the ballot, but it would seem extraordinarily unlikely that in light of the recent developments, he will garner enough votes sufficient to win. New votes are due by 9:00 A.M. Pacific Time tomorrow.
“This is the first time we’ve encountered an issue like this,” Lou Ferrara, the AP’s managing editor for sports and entertainment, said. “Because these awards are based on on-field performance, we consider it necessary to review the matter and allow for a re-vote, especially after concerns were raised by many of our voters.” How Cushing’s 39 of a possible 50 first place votes will be recast is anyone’s guess.
The three things which bother me most right now are: the lying, the extreme measures individuals like Cushing go to to cheat the game, and the impact it has on those who play the game fairly. The totality of these malfeasances further tarnish the game so many of us love.
It was first reported, by ESPN’s Adam Shefter that the positive test was for increased levels of hCG. Though produced naturally by the body elevated levels are most commonly found in pregnant women. This is the same issue that got Los Angeles Dodgers, Manny Ramirez suspended for one third of the season. Ramirez was treated to a mock baby shower upon his returning to the team. When found in athletes it is usually being used to restore the body to a state of “normal” after engaging in anabolic steroid use. It is for this reason that Cushing could truthfully report in a Saturday press release that the test that found him guilty of violating the League’s performance enhancing drug policy was a, “non-steroidal banned substance.” He is telling the truth. He is just intentionally misleading people, which is how I define a lie.
Cushing has been a 18 month journey full of questions regarding the authenticity of his football prowess. Questions haunted him throughout last season’s draft process and forced him to address the issue publicly. What we know is that he tells the truth, but chooses his words carefully. During last season’s scouting combine, Cushing held a press conference where he stated, “…you can ask anyone I know. I’m the hardest working guy on the team, and people can just say whatever they want.” To the best of my knowledge, accusations regarding Cushing’s work ethic (or IQ for that matter) were never in doubt. The questions I heard surrounded how cleanly he did this “hardest” work. And by clean, I am not talking hygiene.
Cheating is usually perceived as a short-cut. This is true when it comes to looking a smarter classmates test answers, but sometimes it requires extraordinarily hard work. Frequently those involved in deception MUST work harder than everyone else. You see; keeping secrets, contorting the truth, and doing all the things that are involved in covering up these behaviors takes a lot of work. Sometimes being the hardest working guy requires doing things that no one else is will do, like violating rules. Ask Bill Belichick how hard he worked pouring over video tapes of every opposing team’s side-line signals. Hiding needles, phone callas to suppliers, hush money to middle-men, the added stress — these all require hard work. It is just not the kind of work an athlete should be expending their energies on.
Who might be playing in the NFL if there were no Brain Cushing (2010), Shawne Merriman (2006), or Julius Peppers (2002) (all of whom were found to have used performance enhancing substances their rookie seasons and gone one to win defensive rookie of the year honors). Three players in a span of less than 10 years! This is a problem that must strongly be addressed in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement.
When a player cheats to gain a competitive edge there is always the possibility that that edge, even if slight, might have been significant enough to keep another very good player from being drafted, making the team, becoming a starter, wining awards, and getting fat contract extensions. I wonder about the guy who is unknown because he too was very gifted, worked extraordinarily hard, but played by the rules.
Going forward, Cushing will be judged by what he does with the rest of his career. If he returns and remains a dominating linebacker capable of 120+ tackles per season, he will be considered like defensive end, Julius Peppers — a player who made mistakes, but turned it around. Should he return and be a shell of his former self and get injured frequently, he will be considered like linebacker, Shawne Merriman — a guy who cheated his way to the top and potentially took glory away from others. Cushing should be ashamed of his behavior rather than continuing his insistence on innocence and being a victim.
Well said Jeff. I’m often amazed at how lightly failing a drugs test is dealt with in the States. Four games is next to nothing in the grand scheme of things; it’s my belief that bans should start at a year, much as happens in athletics. As you say, it cheats honest players out of livelihoodsm but also damages both other player,s who have to block bigger opponants, and the cheating player themself. I find it hard to believe that Flo-Jo’s death from heart failure aged 38 was entirely natural. Until both rigorous testing protocols and in place and significant sanctions are applied then players will continue to take the chance of taking performance enhancing drugs.
A four game ban for taking steroids???!!! That’s an incredibly lenient punishment, in athletics he’d be banned from any event for years. I’m amazed by the leniency of punishments in both baseball and the NFL for this sort of thing, I now believe its simply those sports not wanting to lose its marketable starts to drug bans for very long and that money rather than morals is the reason for these punishments.
Steroids can do terrible damage, look at the old Soviet/East German female athletes. Some are in wheelchairs, one actually had a sex change and became a man because the steroids had given her so many male features. That’s not to mention the things it does to men’s sexual organs (sorry for saying that if you are of a sensitive disposition, but that should put men off drugs more han anything). It also immoral and cheats honest players of money, awards and plaudits. These punishments should be years and not weeks.
Wow what a shocker, a USC player caught in steroids. The whole USC program has been corrupt for years. When will the NCAA really take the Trojans to task for their violations. This is all about the LA TV market and how many viewers they bring in to the NCAA. There was a reason Carrol ran from USC .. .because he was neck deep in it. I am just so happy that Lamo is going to be there when the city of Troy comes crashing down!
I presume your referring to Lane Kiffin there – from an Oakland standpoint I think the guy is a douchebag who has lucked into jobs because of his daddy and his interviewing skills, because he’s done little to deserve being HC of the Raiders and USC. I hope he inherits a cluster and a steaming pile at USC because the guy treated the Raiders like dirt and tried to place blame elsewhere. He was right on Jamarcus Russell, but still shifted blame to everyone except him and then ran from Tennessee faster than Usain Bolt out of starting blocks.
Loyalty and accountability are anathema to him, he deserves to have the NCAA crawling all over his team like cockraoches over dodgy Chinese food.
As a Houston Texan Fan and super fan of the ‘Cush’, this event has been hard for me to swallow. From the reports that I have read it seems that Cushing tested positive for the month of September, but then passed in the months of October, November, etc. Now, its easy for me to want to say that since he did pass for most of the season he should be considered legal and therefore award all his success. However, lets say I take steroids to get to 250 pounds from 220 and then I quit before the season and get tested and its been long enough for me to pass… this is still cheating and no award should be given. To me his performance of 2009 showed his tremendous talents which were both physically and mentally. If his ability continues to shine in 2010 and he admits to making a mistake then he will regain my full support by the human belief of a second chance.
I now know what being a homer feels like. Its easy to give excuses and turn arounds when all you want to do is see your team succeed. But at what cost? I don’t want to be filled with guilt and ‘what if’ questions. I am glad he was suspended and his award is being reviewed. The Texans can and will win without him which will cause Cushing to open his eyes on the truth – we can survive without you. The Texans are a proud organization that does not purse criminals, cheaters, and drama queens. That is the reason why we released Dunta Robinson and why we don’t purse players like Pacman or TO.
I was going to buy a Cushing Jersey and I still might, but i think i’ll buy the Pink one.
Go TEXANS!
Great column Jeff. Agree 100% with you. John Doe from Anywhere USA is busting his butt off every training session, every college game, every combine task, every scouting visit, every possible opportunity to impress and get to the next level but you know what, he just can’t beat that Cushing kid. Or Peppers. Or Merriman. Why is that? I have the same skill level and determination but I just can’t seem to recover and be that consistent. Is that fair? Hell no.
The fact he failed a test, let’s just say Sept 30th, and over 200 days pass without this being public shows that the current CBA needs to have this revamped in the next contract.
NFL is far to lenient on substance abuse, in most international sports this would have been at least a one year ban maybe even a multi year ban. NFL should strive towards being on the forefront in trying to stop performance enhancing substance usage. They should take a leaf of what cycling are doing at the moment, it’s a sport that’s had a tarnished reputation for substance abuse for a long time and has finally decided to crack down on the problem.
Here in Sweden when you ask people why they don’t show interest for American Football you will more often then not get an answer along the line of that most players are using some kind of substance to cheat. And what’s the fun in following a game where you suspect many of the involved to cheat? And when they are found to do so, don’t even get a punishment worthy of the cheating?
The incentives to cheat are so great that I’m shocked more players aren’t caught.
The league is clearly complicit with the cheating, just like MLB. It puts bigger, stronger, faster players on the field. Want proof? He failed the test before he took one snap.
I don’t condone cheating. But with stakes this high, I’m extremely confident that both the players and the league will continue to cheat.
I think someone should also mention to Rog that he just has to ask the Swedes who the cheaters are. It’s likely cheaper and more effective than current methods.
Maybe I’ll switch to sports that are free of cheating. Cycling, soccer, cricket, and F1 come to mind. Ohhhh SNAP!
The league just needs smarter players who know how not to get caught. Lance Armstrong should be free this summer.
Don’t any players look happy when there picture is taken?
Well, he has reason to look mad, and sad.
I don’t think they should re vote even if he did fail a drugs test .they didn’t re vote when julius peppers won his award and the writers knew that he failed what’s the difference between that and this.also the Williams brothers from the Vikings get voted in to the pro bowl and both of them are fighting steroid cases in the courts
By the way Jeff – Great Article. Thanks for the writing motivation.
Another great article Jeff!
Well, the votes are in and according to the latest facebook post, Cushin keeps his title.
Apparently, no one cares that this player used performance enhancing drugs. So what does that say to the youth of America? Go ahead, use steroids, we’ll fine you but you can keep your title!
It’s all about the money. Whatever puts the butts in the seats.
If the NFL truly was serious about their drug policy, then they would drug test every Monday morning. Any player that fails doesn’t play the rest of the season! It could be argued that it would be expensive, but lets face it there is plenty O’ money going around the NFL and could easily be paid from the failed players’ unpaid salaries. So if the NFL really wants to be serious about this, they have options.
The commish won’t do anything about this because apparently no one cares about performance enhancing drugs in the NFL or any other sport. Its a shame our kids grow up idolizing such poor role models. I’m not saying every great player is a bad role model, but there seems to be more bad ones than good ones.
Naumann
I just read the article tweeted by Peter King:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/05/13/cushings-tumor-excuse-gets-exposed/
I never believed Cushing, especially with the quotes of former teammates, who said the Cushing looked unnatural after every other College/HighSchool off-season, when he came back from New Jersey.
Furthermore, hcg (what he’s been tested for) is there to make up for the use of steroids (especially for the boys down there).
His “tumor story” is just ridiculous.
Brian Cushing for me is just an a-hole and I will never think of him as a fair sportsman or competitor.
If he stoody by it, admitted his mistake – still bad, but I would be able to “forgive” him. But with that behaviour he displays right now: No way.