Jets defensive end/linebacker Calvin Pace, one of the crown jewels of the team’s 2008 class of high-priced free agents, will be sitting out for the first four games of the 2009 season.
Pace has been suspended four games for violating the league’s policy regarding anabolic steroids and related substances.
Pace claims that he didn’t know he was violating the policy.
“This is a situation that resulted from an over-the-counter dietary supplement that contained a substance that I did not know violated the league’s policy,” Pace said in a team-issued statement. “I am responsible for what I put into my body and I should have paid closer attention to the league’s guidelines. I regret that this has happened and apologize to my teammates, the entire Jets organization as well as the fans. Hopefully, this does not distract from our ultimate goal of winning the
Super Bowl.”
(No, Calvin. Why would not having a defensive starter for the first four games of the season potentially impact its outcome?)
He’ll be permitted to participate in training camp and the preseason, and then he’ll be banned for the first month of the season.
Said the team: “We respect the League’s decision and look forward to Calvin’s return for our Monday Night game at Miami.”
The announcement means that all appeals have been exhausted and that, barring a Williams Wall-style legal challenge, he’ll be serving the suspension.
CHEATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next time try to clean up the formatting in the editor after you paste my man…
1,000 dollars says this doesnt stick to him like it does shawne merriman.
This type of crap is ridiculous. Simply paying attention to what goes into your body isn’t that hard. If you’re not 100% sure maybe get approval first.
How can this be true?
Only the Pats are “cheaters”
Must be a mistake
It’s a copycat league, they’re all trying to roid up like the champion* Steelers.
I don’t understand (unless “not knowing” is a convenient excuse (READ: LIE)), how anyone would take ANY substance without thoroughly exploring it’s acceptance with the league where hundreds of thousands of dollars are concerned/at risk!!
Ghoulston…Pace…Jets just imploded.
tj.52,
Jealous much?
Jeeez, two rough stories in a row for us Jets fans. I’m hoping to see a sick defense this year from Ryan… this doesn’t do much to boost my confidence.
I think many people don’t realize how easy it is to take a banned substance. It is not like they have to go out of their way to order it from a black market internet site (but believe me they are out there)…walk into a Vitamin Shoppe, GNC, Vitamin World, and you could walk out with a number of things that would make you test positive. And this statement is excluding the ‘tampered/created in same lab as steroids’ substances. You can buy legitimate oral steroids/prohormones in most health stores without even knowing.
Sure the players could AND SHOULD test everything with the league first. However it is very easy for them to think..”this is sold at GNC how could it be illegal?” The supplement/anabolic industry is growing and evolving daily….
With all that said…he could have very well been using something he knew was wrong and had this excuse in his back pocket haha.
Gives the Jets an excuse for when the Pats kick their butts September 20th
# tj.52 says: July 2, 2009 3:13 PM
It’s a copycat league, they’re all trying to roid up like the champion* Steelers.
Yeah anyone who wins a Superbowl is now labeled a cheater. James Harrison must be on steroids because he’s ugly and big. Big Ben is on roids too. Let’s just make garbage up because your team sucks. Peyton Manning won a SB too, he must be on HGH.
Oh wait, I went to far I’m not supposed to make fun everyone’s hero Peyton Manning.
The New York Jets*
female hormones again?
those are the darndest thing.
he must have reaching way down to get in touch with his “inner” Manny.
HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Now let me tell you how I really feel: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA (deep breath) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Gotta love all those NY teams! No wonder they film SNL there – Pure Comedy!!
Note to the fat-ast Williams Walri:
See how it’s SUPPOSED to play out, once you’re busted as a cheater?
You say:
A) oops, didn’t “really” know…sorry, I’ll face my punishment like a man now, or
B) oops, I made a mistake. Sorry to my fans and my teammates and blah blah blah, hope you can forgive me blah blah (preferred).
There is no choice C) Our ignorance exonerates us! AND we will drag you through a gauntlet of BS legal maneuverings, hoping to get off on a technicality…
The truth is, the league provides players with an APPROVED list of substances/products, and explicitly states, in effect, “stray at your own risk”.
Stick to the list, and you’re fine.
Otherwise, the Williams sisters or anyone else is fully responsible for WHATEVER goes into their body (be it cheesburgers, pie, hormones, Viking horns, wizzinators, whatever).
Uuh… “I did not know I violated the league’s policy” Wow…never heard that excuse before!!! How these guys can read & learn their playbook is beyond me!
One all world season after underachieving for 3 seasons in the desert.
Steroids = $$$
I see Calvin has used the “Merriman” defense, which has become all too prevelent with in league.
it didnt work for Shawne and it didnt work for Pace.
now if he would have used the “belichick” defense-”interpretation of the rules”-maybe that would have worked.
I’m willing to bet that half the players in the league have taken some sort of illegal chemical. Human beings do not get that big and remain fast by just working out alot. Look at the difference in the players size in the last 20 years. It isn’t human evolution. When there is fame and money involved players are going to do whatever they think they can do to gain an advantage.
Does anyone remember when the last time was that one of the largest market teams like the New York Giants ever got a player that tested positive for steroids was? I’m just curious because it certainly seems like the NFL’s testing is largely limited to their many mid to small market teams.
Maybe these guys being suspended should name what particular “dietary supplement” they used so others don’t make the same mistake. I don’t recall ever hearing a certain supplement being named. It can then be tested to be sure it does or doesn’t contain a banned substance.