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S.W.A.T.S. owner publicly apologizes to Ravens' Ray Lewis
By John Breech | CBSSports.com
February 1, 2013 6:33 pm ET
Just when you thought you read everything you could about deer antler velvet spray, there's more. S.W.A.T.S. (Sports with Alternatives to Steroids) owner Mitch Ross apologized to Ray Lewis on Friday and said that he never actually saw the Ravens linebacker ingest deer antler velvet spray, according to the Baltimore Sun.
The spray contains a substance -- IGF-1 -- that is banned under the NFL's performance enhancing drug policy.
"I never saw Ray put it in his mouth," Ross said during a press conference on Friday.
"I want to apologize to any athletes that this story hurt," Ross said, referring to a Sports Illustrated story that ran this week and implied that Ray Lewis was using the illegal deer antler velvet spray, an allegation Lewis denied. "I'm trying to right the wrong with Ray Lewis," Ross said.
Ross said that he met Lewis in 2008 through then-Ravens assistant coach Hue Jackson. Ross also said he never gave the duo deer antler spray. "Hue Jackson is a hero for starting to work with me in 2008. I did not walk in the Ravens' door with deer spray, I walked in with chips," Ross said of his new technology that he claims improves athlete performance.
"I gave Hue Jackson these chips at the Ravens' Owings Mills facility. He gave these to Ray. Ray liked them. That's the truth," Ross said.
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Ross claims that the Sports Illustrated story was misleading and that's how the deer antler spray controversy started, "I've been doing this 2005. The way I got into the league and into the doors was not because of antler spray," Ross said. "It was these chips. This is what got me the trust of the players. Many athletes have used this since 2006. The story was wrong. I have been catfished. It's the truth. It's sounds goofy and it's embarrassing to say."
Ross said that he's reached out to Lewis via text message this week, but he hasn't heard back, "I texted him and said 'God bless.' Ray has not texted me recently," Ross said.
After everything that's happened this week, the former male stripper probably shouldn't hold his breath waiting to hear back from Lewis.
For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, subscribe to ourRSS Feed, watch Pro Football 360 daily at 3 p.m. ET and NFL newsletter. You can also follow John Breech @JohnBreech.
By John Breech | CBSSports.com
February 1, 2013 6:33 pm ET
Just when you thought you read everything you could about deer antler velvet spray, there's more. S.W.A.T.S. (Sports with Alternatives to Steroids) owner Mitch Ross apologized to Ray Lewis on Friday and said that he never actually saw the Ravens linebacker ingest deer antler velvet spray, according to the Baltimore Sun.
The spray contains a substance -- IGF-1 -- that is banned under the NFL's performance enhancing drug policy.
"I never saw Ray put it in his mouth," Ross said during a press conference on Friday.
"I want to apologize to any athletes that this story hurt," Ross said, referring to a Sports Illustrated story that ran this week and implied that Ray Lewis was using the illegal deer antler velvet spray, an allegation Lewis denied. "I'm trying to right the wrong with Ray Lewis," Ross said.
Ross said that he met Lewis in 2008 through then-Ravens assistant coach Hue Jackson. Ross also said he never gave the duo deer antler spray. "Hue Jackson is a hero for starting to work with me in 2008. I did not walk in the Ravens' door with deer spray, I walked in with chips," Ross said of his new technology that he claims improves athlete performance.
"I gave Hue Jackson these chips at the Ravens' Owings Mills facility. He gave these to Ray. Ray liked them. That's the truth," Ross said.
The home of the Super Bowl
Watch the Super Bowl,
February 3, 2013 on CBS
and CBSSports.com
Complete coverage
Ross claims that the Sports Illustrated story was misleading and that's how the deer antler spray controversy started, "I've been doing this 2005. The way I got into the league and into the doors was not because of antler spray," Ross said. "It was these chips. This is what got me the trust of the players. Many athletes have used this since 2006. The story was wrong. I have been catfished. It's the truth. It's sounds goofy and it's embarrassing to say."
Ross said that he's reached out to Lewis via text message this week, but he hasn't heard back, "I texted him and said 'God bless.' Ray has not texted me recently," Ross said.
After everything that's happened this week, the former male stripper probably shouldn't hold his breath waiting to hear back from Lewis.
For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, subscribe to ourRSS Feed, watch Pro Football 360 daily at 3 p.m. ET and NFL newsletter. You can also follow John Breech @JohnBreech.