On one hand, the efforts of Texans owner Bob McNair to intervene in the suspension of linebacker Brian Cushing puts the league office in a very tough spot. On the other hand, McNair possibly has gone a long way toward shedding the perception that he’s a union-busting owner who hopes to crush the players at the bargaining table.
“It means a lot,” Cushing said. “That’s the kind of owner you really want to play for. . . . I couldn’t be playing anywhere better in the world that supports me like this.”
And so McNair has won over in advance of the looming labor fight one of the present and future leaders of his defense.
Cushing also talked about the latest excuse being articulated to explain his confirmed violation of the steroids policy, so-called “overtrained athlete syndrome.”
“I think that’s the final diagnosis we came up with, and a lot of doctors have supported why this has happened,” Cushing said. He then explained the phenomenon with one of the all time great tells exhibited by someone who may not be telling the truth. While explaining the alleged diagnosis and its supposed effect on hCG levels, Cushing stops and clears his throat.
If you don’t believe us, watch the video.
Cushing also claims as to the “overtrained athlete syndrome” contention that he has “the science to back it up,” and that it goes beyond “the regular medical doctor.”
That’s fine. But why not present the evidence for public scrutiny? Absent something more than sound bites and official-sounding diagnoses, give us hard facts. Otherwise, take your medicine and quit trying to convince us that you didn’t cheat.