In the wake of Rashard Lewis failing an NBA drug test and testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, I've made my feelings known about the issue in a column I wrote for today's edition of the Orlando Sentinel.
I believe Lewis is guilty of stupidity more than he's guilty of outright cheating. I believe him when he says he was unaware that the over-the-counter nutritional powder he took was laced with DHEA -- a steroid-like substance that is on the NBA's banned list.
I believe him when he told me Thursday that he's been taking nutritional supplements and vitamins for his entire career without incident and that this time he simply made a mistake by putting something into his body that was on the NBA's banned list.
"I've taken over-the-counter supplements throughout my career," Lewis said. "It's a long season and I take stuff you get from health stores -- things to keep your immune system up, help your energy level, stuff like that. Early in my career, I was real thin and drank the shakes to try to put on weight."
But steroids?
"Look at me, I'm still skinny as hell. Does it look like I take steroids?," Lewis answered. "... I'm telling you it was an honest mistake. I would never knowingly put any sort of substance or steroid into my body that is against the rules."
Well, what do you think?
Do you believe him?
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