Did Ray Lewis use banned deer-antler spray to return from triceps injury?
Sports Illustrated has published an in-depth examination of Sports with Alternatives to Steroids (S.W.A.T.S.) and the company's relationship with high-profile athletes, including Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis
Did Ray Lewis use banned deer-antler spray to return from triceps injury?
Ray Lewis wears eye black in memory of Ravens former owner Art Modell back in September. Lewis will be retiring at the end of this season after 17seasons in the NFL. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, FIle)
Sports Illustrated has published an in-depth examination of a company called Sports with Alternatives to Steroids (S.W.A.T.S.) and its relationship with high-profile athletes, including Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.
S.W.A.T.S. is an edgy sports science company run by a gym owner/former stripper. The company specializes in holographic stickers, deer-antler pills, and other, um, progressive means of enhancing a player's performance.
David Epstein and George Dohrmann write that S.W.A.T.S. owner Mitch Ross recorded a phone conversation with Lewis after the linebacker's injury in October.
Hours after he tore his triceps during an Oct. 14 home game against the Cowboys, Ravens All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis and Ross connected on the phone. Again, Ross videotaped the call.
On the call, the two allegedly discuss the treatment that Lewis would undergo in order to return to the field as quickly as possible.
Ross prescribed a deluxe program, including holographic stickers on the right elbow; copious quantities of the powder additive; sleeping in front of a beam-ray light programmed with frequencies for tissue regeneration and pain relief; drinking negatively charged water; a 10-per-day regimen of the deer-antler pills that will "rebuild your brain via your small intestines" (and which Lewis said he hadn't been taking, then swallowed four during the conversation); and spritzes of deer-antler velvet extract (the Ultimate Spray) every two hours.
"Spray on my elbow every two hours?" Lewis asked.
"No," Ross said, "under your tongue."
Toward the end of the talk, Lewis asked Ross to "just pile me up and just send me everything you got, because I got to get back on this this week."
The deer-antler spray contains IGF-1, which is on the NFL's list of banned substances. Christopher Key - one of the S.W.A.T.S. guys - described the company's products to a group of Alabama football players before the BCS National Championship in 2012. He recorded the conversation.
"You're familiar with HGH, correct?" asked Key, referring to human growth hormone. "It's converted in the liver to IGF-1." IGF-1, or -insulin-like growth factor, is a natural, anabolic hormone that stimulates muscle growth. "We have deer that we harvest out of New Zealand," Key said. "Their antlers are the fastest-growing substance on planet Earth . . . because of the high concentration of IGF-1. We've been able to freeze dry that out, extract it, put it in a sublingual spray that you shake for 20 seconds and then spray three [times] under your tongue. . . . This stuff has been around for almost 1,000 years, this is stuff from the Chinese."
Epstein and Dohrmann walk you through the background on S.W.A.T.S., the company's alleged relationship with numerous NFL players, the scene prior to the BCS Championship, and Ross' ties to Ray Lewis.
Comments (77)
Uh, yes he did stab someone you meat brains that say "he didn't stab anybody". He paid off the witnesses that suddenly recanted their stories and suffered from amnesia. There were Ray Lewis and two other people leaving a bar and got in a fight with 2 guys that ended up stabbed to death and no murder weapon was found and the white suit that Ray Lewis wore was never found as evidence. It supposedly got "lost at the cleaners". So go back to your little thug play worlds and pretend your a part of reality. Times yours.— TrollXterminator- Stabbing 2 people to death and fathering beaucoup kids with beaucoup babymamas: OK. Ingesting deer antlers: NOT OK. Way to stay classy, NFL!— Barbouze
- Stabbing 2 people to death and fathering beaucoup kids with beaucoup babymamas: OK
Ingesting deer antlers: NOT OK
Way to stay classy, NFL!— Barbouze - Deer antler spray? Football players are more stupid than I thought.— p-diddy
- Do you honestly think that if he stabbed and killed someone that he'd be let go on a plea bargain? I highly doubt that any legal system is going to let a murderer walk away with just a slap on the wrist. You all watch way too many Law & Order shows.....— noclueforyou
- Amazing...I didn't realize the limo in Atlanta held all you people....! getting the facts straight would be a start for most of you. As far as role models go Vick seems like a class act....right along side Mr Rapelisberger. Oh I forgot...all the Eagles players are perfect fathers with no children out of wedlock right? Andy did a great job of being a father didn't he?— noclueforyou
- He didn't stab anyone, you imbecile.— erikmartin2
- He was never even accused of murder. He was accused of lying to the police to protect his companions who were accused of murder. (And the jury said those were practicing self-defense.)— erikmartin2
- I can't wait for the Deer Antler breakfast bars and sports drink...mmmm— bnchy
- Really?
Where is the proof of shipment?
I doubt there is a videotape of Lewis speaking on the phone - perhaps a videotape of Ross from his end.
And, Sports Illustrated may be in real legal trouble with claiming to have heard an audio tape of Lewis speaking on the phone. You see, audio taping anyone, speaking on the phone from Maryland without their knowledge and permission is against the law - that may make Sports Illustrated an accomplice to a illegal act.— DennisinWV - I love how we're blasting the Ravens on here. I'm a diehard Iggles fans, yet it's pretty clear that we had the biggest thug team in the NFL over the past 2 seasons. As for Ray Lewis using a banned substance that is untraceable...bulletin: 90% of NFL players use HGH, which is also a banned substance, but cannot be detected by current NFL drug testing procedures. So, whether Lewis used or not, who cares. It's irrelevant.— vdstrading
- Who cares!! get over the steroid issue already!!— kenny.328.usa
- 60 persent of the time, it works EVERY time!— pcempowerment
- BREAKING NEWS: NFL Commissioner, Roger Goddell has shut down the Stupid Bowl this sunday February 3rd 2013. The change is effective immediately so a comprehensive drug test can take place regarding Ravens linebacker, Ray Lewis.The game will be moved to Sunday March 3, 2013. The Commissioner has employed Travis Tagert of USASA to conduct the test. If Lewis is found guilty of using a banned substance, he will be suspended indefinitely, with no Stupid Bowl participation. He will be banned from the Stupid dome, with no contact with his team or anybody associated with it. The Ravens will be forced to forfeit all games that Lewis participated in, whereby, the Baltimore franchise will be disqualified from playing for the Lombardy Trophy. A three team sudden death playoff will take place between The Denver Broncos vs the Houston Texans. The winner will face the Patriots for the right to play the NFC representative....San Francisco 49er's. For further developments stay tuned to your local newscast.— frank castle
What would DJANGO do?- What would Durango do?
- What a TNB situation— tartuffe
- People who live in glass houses....I'm sure that dogs everywhere are relieved to find out that Philly is concerned about deer.— mboyd10
- Ray Lewis is a murderer. Plain and simple. 1996 in Atlanta. He was part of a murder here in Atlanta. He is a thug!!! Hope they lose big time.— rcsguy
- Considering he lied and got away with a murder he prob juices as well— Ginger2008
- Accidentally clipped Ray with my car the other day. It's like he wanted to get hit.— Qman
- NFL should test this POS before the superbowl....— Ginatnation
- Ray lewis is a murderer. He paid almost 4 million to the family's of the two kids he stabbed. He also has 6 kids by 4 different women.. Hey now.. that's a role model.. eh?— Ginatnation
- Ray could get all emotional on us, all the while he will deny shooting anyone.— FletcherT
- Its cobra hearts idiot (joking). If your injured and want to get back in good for you. Should have come to Philly.The real "cheater" resides in New England. Stole that ring from the Eagles with more than deer poop.— NYPHILLYPHAN
- Who cares he killed someone. He's crazy like OJ.— Nezhy
- The guy played like weeks after he tore his tricep(!) Most people wouldn't be able to tie their shoes for six months. Have Lance, ARod, Clemens, etc., taught us nothing?— snakeplissken
- I can hardly believe that this fine example of a father,husband (6 wives, he must be fine), this upstanding citizen, this icon of all that is good in the NFL, would ever break the rules.
SI should be ashamed for even remotely suggestion that this "fine" human being would stoop so low.
Roger Goodall wouldn't beliece that for a minute!— eyesell - Fatboy is absolutely correct. In most other corners of the sporting world (eg, outside the US), you cheat, you besmerch your team or your sport, there is hell to pay. Not so here. Wait till the big game is over, or the perp graduates, then give him a fine and move on. I would love to root for Flacco and the Ravens but because of the human that Ray Lewis is, I just can't. I'll be asleep by halftime.— boroughboy
- us NFL fans are all hypocrites. we love these super human animal warriors going out there and the act outraged when it turns out, like we all knew all along, that they're using steroids and other banned substances. come on, take a look at Ray Lewis, do you really think he isn't using all sorts of things to become that way? I wouldn't be surprised if he was drinking urananium infused water.— Ryan
- Who cares, Tom Brady and Bill Belicheat stole their way to 3 SBs but no one’s still complaining. All athletes take something, banned or otherwise, to get themselves back in the game as quickly as possible. This is a non-story that will get the overzealous self-righteous up on their pedestals to spew venom.— realtruth
- They could have told him that snorting pencil shavings would get him on the field quicker and guess what, he's be snorting pencil shavings. Quack, quack, quack— Breaking Bad
- The guy covers up for murderers or might even be one and you think he would not break NFL banned substance rules?
Oh and I'd like to see the NCAA look into the Alabama thing.— towman - this was discovered by Troy Aikman in 1990 when he started to snort bull semen for kicks!— iloveprimerib
- Uhh. This guy tapes all of his conversations and releases them to the press? I can't imagine that's a really effective way of driving your business when you're doing things that are banned in the pro game. How stupid is Ray Lewis that he agreed to get recorded doing something like this?— fightonphilly
- Would someone please send a game commission officer over to my house immediately? I just saw Ray Lewis in the back yard eating my rhododendrons!— dasher
- Deer Velvet has been used in asia for hundreds if not thousands of years.I t stimulates the blood and increased blood flow helps the body heal itself quicker.
It is also has been used over the years as a sexual stimulant esp in China-again for hundreds of years .
Why back when i recall a horse trainer puttingDV powder in with the horses feed almost daily and their coats were always shiny-and he was a successful trainer and his mounts never tested bad.— HO HUM - lewis has been using the spray for years without any side effects. except when he's driving at night and oncoming headlights are on him, he just freezes, he can't move. and he keeps talking about when he retires working for santa pulling a sleigh.— bluefish
- usually athletes will take a shot of hormones to mask the ban substances...this would prove to be true by the massive amounts of crying after each game— jdowney47
- Who record a conversation with out the other person knowing I hope he gets sued and thrown in jail. Next time save the blue dress— Joe Bennett
- Only thing this proves is that even Ray Lewis isn't immune to the smooth talking of a snake oil salesman!— atibamanii
- Can't make this stuff up!! Why not just equal the playing field, and not ban ANYTHING. Not a wonder professional rugby players die with laughter at our "athletes'.— dogman5
- Ray Lewis did so indeed get accused of murder and was never charged after paying off many people.— PhillyTaz
- If it isn't harmful to the user, but it's helpful in how the human body repairs itself, THEN WHY IS IT BANNED? People just accept a fact that because it's a banned substance that automatically, it's bad for the user. None of this stuff is illegal to purchase, so let the NFL answer the question of why it's a banned substance.— beegal99
- Wow, this stuff must really work. Where can I get some?— JBirks
- Nothing like making a murderer who only got off because of a plea deal the face of your team. Keep it classy B-more.— Taxpaying Voter
- Guy sounds like a witch doctor. Only thing missing in his treatments is an aluminum foil helmet.— Barbouze
- Hahahahahahahahahaha! — Ino_Karate
- I take that deer antler stuff when I go to the gym. It works really well.— cuso20
- The killer is at it again!— Dolly92748
- So, if the substance is banned and he is taking it, is that not "DOPING"?— ricciaje
- Ray Lewis is a murdering, lying piece of s#@t. Go 49ers!— lulu
- Awww, poor Tootuff; Just the same. Besides someone like you never made a mistake right? Oh you did! You used "Your" when it should be the contraction of "You are" as in "You're" So "You're" the uneducated blowhard - must be inbred in your herd of high school dropouts. Also you don't know what an apostrophe is, do you7 Maybe I "wasn't" right.— johnny rotten
- He was charged with murder though. Still haven't found that suit!— Ino_Karate
- Yes. He used it. A lot of other guys used it. I think that we should be embracing "alternative" cures and supplements. We should be having them certified for use for everyone. Especially in light of the Lance A thing. Looks like LOTS of pros use stuff. Who can blame them. Let's embrace it instead of making crooks and liars out the ones that get caught. That makes a lot more sense.— truthfirst
- @johnny rotten... Your talking about Rae Carruth idiot.
Ray Lewis, although I am tired of all the Saint Ray stuff, wasnt accused of that. Get you facts straight simpleton.— tootuff - Ross is a quack. Test Lewis for banned substances. If he fails, suspend him & make him find the missing clothes from the night of the stabbing. End of stupid story.— paulie
- It won't matter even if he shot up the real thing. The NFL will make sure he plays due to the story of a future hall of famer's last game being the super.
Not a fan of Lewis, but how come this supplement guy brings this up this week? Could it also be possible that it is not Lewis on the other end of the line? It will be a ton of free advertising either way.— Saver - One thing is for sure ... the NFL will do NOTHING about this before Sunday ... he got away with murder and they raised him up and worshiped him ... what a league honoring a cheating murderer ... but wear funky socks or the wrong shoes and you will be punished !— FatBoy90
- After all that crying on the damn field...— kandykakes77
- Wow...I just thought he ate still beating baboon hearts.— Hobo Floto Voto
Remember this "man" was accused of having his girtlfriend/wife/whatever murdered. How he got off is remarkable. He's a POS.— johnny rotten- What could be worse than correcting someone, only to find out that you were wrong, only to find out that you too were wrong?
Somebody's got to feel like a penny asking for change. - IDIOT...GO BUY A MIKE CONVICK JERSEY — braven98
- I think you have him confused with another upstanding gentleman that played for the Ravens, Rae Carruth. He's doing life for killing his pregnant girlfriend.
- Rae Carruth played for the Carolina Panther, not the Ravens. Work on your facts. — siouxmac
- ... well, if it's "from the Chinese" ...— Copper34
- Oh for Christ sake.— sighpatrol
- Gotta be the first time in several hundred years that the phrase "This stuff is from the Chinese" is meant as an endorsement.— cloudkitt
- Follow-up to the follow-up question: Does Ray Lewis have any snazzy suits I can borrow?— brendan from chinatown
- If he tries to eat the astro turf on Sunday, we'll know. We'll. Know.— Roger Podacter
- Follow-up question: Has Ray Lewis ever stabbed anybody?— Ino_Karate
- No, he's never stabbed anyone. — erikmartin2
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