The defensive end says that he had been taking a supplement for 15 days while recovering from an injury, and immediately stopped taking the supplement when trainers told him that the substance was against rules. He says that the supplement was to help him lose weight during the offseason, and he purchased it after it was recommended by one of the workers at the nutrition store where he purchased the pills.

Jeremy Jarmon, Image: Newscom

Jarmon isn’t just a run-of-the-mill member of the Kentucky defense. He has the third most sacks in Kentucky’s history and was an honorable menton for the 2008 AP All-SEC Team – not something easy to do since the SEC is so competitive.

Says coach Rich Brooks,

“My first concern is with Jeremy and his family and what a devastating blow this is for them. There was no intent by Jeremy to do anything improper, it was an error in judgment in not checking with our staff [before taking the supplement]. Jeremy has been an outstanding individual on and off the football field, and I hope that people understand the class act he has has been.”

The NCAA won’t bend the rules in Jarmon’s case, and while athletic director Mtch Barnharn says that they honor the rules of the NCAA, he had hoped they’d consider the “extenuating circumstances” in this case.

So is the NCAA too harsh with drug rules? Should Jarmon get to play for his senior season?

My thoughts on the subject are that although it may open a can of worms, it was clear in this case that Jarmon made a mistake and the supplements had not given him an unfair advantage, since he used them durnig the offseason and only for a very short time. I do think that there should be exceptions to almost all NCAA rules.

Post from: EveryJoe

Alright, lets get the stats (being a sports guy, there are stats everywhere for me):

Type of Drug : Opium (contraband)

Quantity : 10 gm

Does he care : no

There is a reason why I mentioned the last line. The minimum punishment for such an offence in Dubai is 4 years RI and it may be extended to 20! Its grave! But he doesn’t care. The Pakistan Board doesn’t care. It makes a few phone calls, and if the news channels are to be believed, he might be a free druggie in a few hours! Blasphemy never had a better synonym.

Later, till Mr Akhtar follows suit!

Photo : Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

In true Pakistani style, though, the whole thing is shrouded in controversy – the players initially waived their rights to a secondary sample test, the equivalent of holding up your hands and saying “You got me”, but have since vowed to prove their innocence and appeal the decision, claiming, if nothing else, absolute ignorance. It’s all very bizarre and nonsensical.

Needless to say, this isn’t going to be put to bed for a while.

Post from: EveryJoe

Shoaib’s doctor proferred the predictably slim excuse for his alleged actions:

“Akhtar is definitely innocent and I can vouch for him,” said Tauseef. “He doesn’t know anything about medicines, and since he recently suffered ankle and knee injuries, he must have taken some medicines which are painkillers but come under the banned substances.”

I distinctly remember the same excuse being used when Shane Warne was banned for 2 years for using diuretics, saying his mum gave them to him to lose weight. Yeh. We didn’t believe it then, and I doubt anyone will believe it this time.

PCB Coach Bob Woolmer understated things saying they couldn’t afford to get bogged down by these events, but considering they’re still considerably bogged in by recent events, this is just another event that’ll have the media talking for a few days. Given that Shoaib has literally just returned from a lengthy injury lay-off, this could really be the end of him.

No doubt that this won’t be the best preparation for Pakistan’s trophy opener against Sri Lanka tomorrow, nor do any help for the Pakistani “we are not cheats honest” argument.

Post from: EveryJoe