The tenure of Raiders head coach Hue Jackson lasted exactly one day before his first minidrama hit.
Eric Adelson of ThePostGame.com (run by Yahoo! Sports) reports that the NFL ordered Jackson to cut promotional ties with a supplement company called S.W.A.T.S. (That’s short for Sports With Alternatives To Steroids.)
The company markets supplements, including a product that contains a banned substance by the NFL. That product -- “The Ultimate Spray” -- could cause problems for NFL players like Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and Bengals safety Roy Williams. Jackson has ended his relationship with the company
“I’m no longer affiliated with this company,” Jackson said Wednesday. “I don’t even know about a banned substance.”
The Associated Press has picked up the story, which indicates it may only be starting. “The Ultimate Spray” is described as containing “deer antler velvet extract.” (We hear it’s great on salads.) It also contains IGF-1, which is banned by the NFL because it is a byproduct of human growth hormone.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed to Adelson that Jackson is now in compliance with the league’s rule barring coaches from having any relationship with a supplement company. Williams and Lewis still appear to have ties to the company.
S.W.A.T.S. owner Mitch Ross says he’s sent over 25 bottles of “The Ultimate Spray” over the last few years to Lewis. Ross produced receipts and text messages that said Lewis received his shipments. Williams admitted to using the product.
“I use the spray all the time,” the Bengals safety said. “Two to three times a day. My body felt good after using it. I did feel a difference.”
S.W.A.T.S. has previously been sued by Rams linebacker David Vobora, who was suspended four games for testing positive for steroids. Vobara claims “The Ultimate Spray” contains a steroid that caused him to fail the NFL’s drug test.
The fact Williams hasn’t tested positive could say a lot about the effectiveness of the NFL’s drug testing procedures.
“I didn’t know [IGF-1] was on there,” Williams said. “I’ve never failed a drug test. I don’t want to be associated with something that is banned.”