Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis: Story is 'stupidity'
NEW ORLEANS - Of all the topics Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis might have been prepared to talk about at Super Bowl media day, deer-antler spray probably was not among them.
NEW ORLEANS - Of all the topics Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis might have been prepared to talk about at Super Bowl media day, deer-antler spray probably was not among them.
He declined to directly address a Sports Illustrated report that he sought help from a company that makes the unorthodox product to speed up his recovery from a torn right triceps. Lewis was the NFL's leading tackler in the playoffs after missing 10 regular-season games with the injury.
The company says its deer-antler substance contains a byproduct of human growth hormone.
Lewis dismissed the report Tuesday as "stupidity." He said: "There's never been a question of if I ever even thought about using" a banned substance.
The 37-year-old Lewis plans to retire after Sunday's Super Bowl. He was the MVP of the 2001 title game.
Ryan not a Ram
The St. Louis Rams have decided not to hire Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator and stepped in a new direction by hiring Frank Bush as linebackers coach.
Bush replaces Blake Williams, son of Gregg Williams, who was briefly defensive coordinator with the Rams last winter before being suspended indefinitely for his role in the Saints bounty scandal.
Bush was with the Titans the last two seasons and before that was defensive coordinator for four seasons with the Texans. He has also been a player, scout, position coach, and assistant head coach.
Concussion lawsuits
A federal judge in Phladelphia will hear oral arguments in about two months on requests to throw out lawsuits by thousands of former NFL players regarding concussions suffered while playing for the league.
U.S. Eastern District Judge Anita Brody scheduled an April 9 hearing on motions to dismiss filed by the NFL Inc., NFL Properties Inc., and All American Sports Corp.
Players say they have developed dementia and Alzheimer's disease, or are worried about developing them. The NFL has argued that it did not intentionally mislead the players and took steps to protect their health.
More than 100 lawsuits against the league are consolidated before Brody. More than 3,500 former players have sued the NFL, alleging that not enough was done to inform them about the dangers of concussions and not enough is being done today to take care of them.
Steelers add coach
The Pittsburgh Steelers have hired Jack Bicknell Jr. as offensive line coach. Bicknell, 49, spent last season as the offensive line coach for the Chiefs.