Brian Cushing Re-Wins the AP Defensive ROY Award
by Paragon SC on May 12, 2010 1:02 PM PDT
in USC Football
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PrintI don't think there was ever any doubt...
Texans outside linebacker Brian Cushing retained his Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year Award on Wednesday.
Cushing kept the award despite being suspended four games last week for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. A panel of 50 writers and broadcasters who cover the league made the decision in an unprecedented revote that concluded at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
"I'm very, very happy that I was able to keep the award," Cushing said. "A lot of voters stuck with me, and I really appreciate that. I'm excited and honored, just like I was the first time."
In the revote, Cushing received 18 votes to finish ahead of Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd (13).
You can't unring a bell...
We all know what we saw.
Here is a little more from SI.com...
The AP decided to have a revote, with a Wednesday noon deadline.
That revote gave Cushing 18 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd received 13 votes, and Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews III got 12. Washington linebacker Brian Orakpo earned three votes, and St. Louis linebacker James Laurinaitis got one.
"I'm good," Byrd said, referring to the result. "Yeah, I'm fine with it."
One voter was not available to cast a ballot, and two voters abstained. In all, 19 voters switched from Cushing to another player, and one voted for Cushing after picking Byrd originally.
In the original balloting in January, Cushing received 39 votes to six for Byrd, three for Matthews and two for Orakpo.
Abstaining from your vote is weak! Stand up and be counted!!
It was reported that Cush popped positive in September. I don't remeber where I saw it, but i read somewhere that he was tested throughout the season and he passed every test so in my eyes his performance during the season was not enhanced. He deserved the award.
Maybe now blowhards like that the insufferable Peter King will pipe down.
UPDATE: Here is a pretty good take from ESPN's Chris Mortensen. He was one of the two who abstained.
Sorry haters...better luck next time!
FIGHT ON Cush!
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ESPN blasted the re vote last night
On their NFL segment. They made the point about opening a can of worms and the effects this re vote would have on other players past and future. Also about the fact no one actually knows what he tested positive for other than a banned substance. That the positive might not be what many think. I have a feeling many on the AP who voted for Cush again had that in mind.
If an olympic athlete cheats with a banned substance
they lose their medal. Same should go for cheaters in pro sports. Just my opinion.
Should the AP change the rules going forward?
I kind of get the argument above, but the message that cheating, or taking a banned substance regardless what it is (because if it’s banned then its still cheating), tells our kids? I’m not saying don’t support Cushing, just really wonder is that the message we want our kids to have? Cheat and get caught, its ok you can still win awards. I’m sure i’m going to get hammered on here, but I think AP should change rule from here on out, and think Cushing should have been stripped. Not a good message to teenagers at all. Just my opinion and i know you guys love Bruins opinions, so i hope someone will answer my question with an actual answer, rather than snarky remarks. Thanks.
Bruin for life!!!!
You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. - John Wooden
Not that I don't agree with you because I do, however
Exactly what was Cush caught doing? No one really knows. The only thing we know is he tested positive for a banned substance (not steroids). It could have been a false positive caused by something else, the point ESPN made last night. Correct me if wrong, but isn’t Cush appealing on just that point? Look I’m not saying he didn’t cheat, just that we really don’t know and everyone is throwing him under the bus based on incomplete facts.
by ev on May 12, 2010 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Well he did appeal and ultimately lost
I can’t believe that the NFL looked into his case and found nothing (something that cant be a PED, or mask a PED) and still suspend Cushing, there has to be something there that warrants the penalty. Right??
Bruin for life!!!!
You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. - John Wooden
If not then the NFL
needs to change the way they opperate the testing process. Maybe they should release what exactly they found in Cushs drug test ( i thought it was HcG) and put this to bed. AP should change criteria for voting from this point on.
Bruin for life!!!!
You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. - John Wooden
I thought it was a masking agent
Or at least something that came up with the same result.
by ev on May 12, 2010 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions
We are naive to believe that most of these athletes aren't pushing the boundaries with supplements and more
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/article/2010-05-11/ap-source-cushing-tested-positive-for-hcg
Good article. HCG is not a masking agent. It is a natural female hormone that stimulates males to produce increased testosterone. Not a steroid, but a banned substance. SI reported that Cushing’s positive test was so low that it would have been a negative up until a few years ago, when the NFL increased the sensitivity of the test.
So, it’s not like he was all ’roided out with a huge positive for anabolics. But, he may have done an anabolic cycle in the offseason before his rookie year, or he may have been just looking for a slight testosterone boost over the summer workouts. Either way, he was clean for more than 75% of the season.
It is interesting that over 20 voters changed their minds. Cush BARELY kept the award, 3 more swing votes for Byrd and it was gone. I think the revote was ridiculous. It was a suspension for 2011, nothing more. Now, if the NFL had retroactively forfeited Texans games by calling Cushing ineligible, then that’s a different story. But, he barely broke a small rule and received his punishment for next season. No big deal. AP made themselves look foolish. Of course, Scott Wolf does this every day.
Unless Cushing is six months pregnant or has testicular cancer he shouldn't have it in his system, PERIOD!
Barely broke a small rule? Dude, either you steal or you don’t steal,you cheat or don’t cheat.The enabling of PED usage is almost as much of a sin as using them. Thats precisely how baseball was allowed to defraud the public and have 20 years of comprised history. The dude got caught with something a normal healthy 23 year old should not have in his system.There are reasons why testing procedures have to evolve and possess heightened sensitivity: It is neccasary to catch the cheaters who are trying to stay ahead of the testing. The arms race between testers and users is a reason we haven’t heard of this hormone being used really until Manny got popped.
So there is a reason this substance is banned. It is used in conjuction WITH steroids to restore the body’s testosterone levels back to normal. It is considered to be an important part of the steroid regimen (And to mask it’s use). People can attempt to play doctor if they want. But there’s a reason this substance is banned and unless Cushing is pregnant, has testicular cancer or is a little boy whose nut are atrophied, it shouldn’t be in his system.
by westcoastnolefan on May 13, 2010 12:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Not True
You not know of what you speak. HCG is NOT in any way a masking agent. HCG is also used by itself for anti-aging and weight loss. Because some bodybuilders use it as a part of an anabolic cycle does not prove that this is how Cush was using it. Plus, his level was extremely low, it was Sept, and he was clean the rest of the year. Finally, the NFL allowed him to play throughout the 2009 season.
No big deal. All of these pro athletes are on substances of some sort. Cush just slipped over a boundary, I’m sure, by accident. Your uninformed rant is quite transparent and shallow. Weak sauce, nole. Talk about cheating!
Sorry DFWT
But Cush looks and quacks like a guy that uses the roids. I don’t believe him. I think he used. Maybe he stopped before the NFL drug test, and there was a little left in his system, but I have a hard time believing that his USC career was on the up and up now. Maybe he didn’t need to use to perform at a high level, but I just don’t believe him anymore.
Why is the substance banned then? Why was he suspended? Why did he lose the appeal?
Do you think the NFL would disparage the reputation of one of it’s young stars if they didn’t think he was cheating?The “Everybody’s on something” excuse doesn’t fly. If YOU get caught YOU are the one subject any penalties. Accident? Then why hasn’t it shown up in subsequent tests? If hCG is in your body once it’s not going to magically disappear.Users do cycles in the offseason when they get the majority of they’re lifting in. By the time September comes around they.Thats why he would not has have it in his system past sept.
by westcoastnolefan on May 13, 2010 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions
He wouldn't have it in his system past Sept since he already would have the desired bulk
hCG won’t magically disappear unless it was in your system artifically that is. Weak sauce? That certainly ain’t what Brian was on. Get Cushing’s gynecologist on the line if you need further help.
by westcoastnolefan on May 13, 2010 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey maybe you should walk up to Cush and tell about your feelings, I am sure he will award you!
Well basically John Wooden was and is a FRAUD, by the way where is Sammy Gilbert Ben needs some ballers.
by so.cal.native1952 on May 13, 2010 6:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Cush should just admit it
His fans will back him no matter what , but you lose some when you lie over and over. Come on Cush , you’re better than this.
Bruin for life!!!!
You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. - John Wooden
You are looking more stupid by the post
HCG is found in men and women, just at a much lower level in men. HCG can be used by men for:
increased sperm count
http://www.drugs.com/hcg.html
weight loss & anti-aging
http://www.hcgvitality.com/weightloss_hcg.html
Some experts believe that HCG is produced by male bodies after ejaculation or high intensity workouts.
Why is the substance banned? Why is cold medicine banned? Why are ingredients in herbal teas banned? Why is ephedra banned? It is possible that Cush used HCG after coming off an anabolic cycle, but there are 20 other possible explanations too. I believe more details will be forthcoming from Cushing in the near future.
Regardless, my point was that you do not know what you are talking about. You called HCG a masking agent. It is not. I will admit that as a Criminole, you have tremendous expertise on cheating. Yet, on this particular subject matter, you as far away from insightful as Bobby Bowden is from the prime years of his esteemed coaching career.
You neglected to answer any pertinent questions, internet tough guy
Just hurled silly insults that from behind a keyboard (as frontrunners tend to). You cannot come up with a plausible explaination, just as Cushing was unable to during his sham of a press conference .None of things you are bringing up have any relevance to the central issue based upon the fact Cushing himself has not presented weight loss or an increased sperm count as a way for explaining his positive test results (A or B sample). And he’s had eight months to hire someone with the expertise to conduct the neccasary research (None of whom felt compelled to present any evidence at the press conference).
If you smoked weed and failed a random drug test for your job. And your explaination for failing was “I don’t know how it got in there” would you retain your position? Only if your a snoop dogg roadie
Unfortunately, enabling attitudes like this are what allow performance enhancing substances to permeate high school, college and professional sports in the first place.
by westcoastnolefan on May 13, 2010 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions
You're not in Cuba anymore
Not that there’s anything wrong with Cubans. I hear it’s a lovely country. But, in America we have a democracy that bestows inalienable rights and protects civil liberties.
If my employer fired me for taking drugs during my personal time, I would sue them for violating my civil liberties. If they asked me to take a random drug test, I would decline.
Steroids permeate high schools, colleges, and sports BECAUSE people want to use them. There is demand for the product. What adds fuel to the fire is the unjustified criminalization of these misunderstood drugs. This creates a black market, higher profits, attracts the organized criminal element, and demands a sizable law enforcement investment to enforce these byzantine laws. A re-allocation of that investment to better education, maintenance, and treatment for these substances would much more effectively decrease demand.
As stated before, these drugs can enhance personal health through proper usage and medical supervision. One day, probably within our lifetimes, we will all take a performance enhancing drug for anti-aging/longevity. Today, many people already take performance enhancers in the form of athletes on steroids, students on stimulants, older men countering sexual dysfunction, etc.
The NFL did not explain why HCG was found at an extremely low level in one, beginning of season test for Cush. A level so low that it would have been a negative only a few years ago. Cush has vowed to study this aberration to ascertain the source of the HCG in his body. I foresee more pertinent details coming out in the near future that vindicate Cush.
Until then, it is comforting to know that there are ample, small-minded PC police ready to castigate the cough syrup abusers of the world. The douche-pocalypse is upon us!
if you live in cali
You are a “at will” employee , your employer can fire you for almost anything , save discrimination . Your point moot. Besides do you really think Cush was trying to increase sperm count, or weight loss, or anti aging … really? Come on , most trojans don’t even believe that. He got busted he should just man up and admit it. People will still root for him, probably more if he admits it.
Bruin for life!!!!
You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. - John Wooden
i like cushing
But I agree with nole on this. He was using HcG after a cycle , not to keep his skin lookin healthy or to get 20 women pregnant with his copious amounts of sperm.
Bruin for life!!!!
You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. - John Wooden
Really so you know this for FACT?
Well basically John Wooden was and is a FRAUD, by the way where is Sammy Gilbert Ben needs some ballers.
by so.cal.native1952 on May 14, 2010 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
No one does
Not me or you, only Cush and God. I’m speculating , just like DFW , and everyone else. That’s what we are doing on here.
Bruin for life!!!!
You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. - John Wooden
God really; who's god your god budda's god a greek God, now I know who the Fool on the Hill is!
That would be You, so listen to Graps he might know a thing or 2
Well basically John Wooden was and is a FRAUD, by the way where is Sammy Gilbert Ben needs some ballers.
by so.cal.native1952 on May 15, 2010 1:40 AM PDT up reply actions
you are funny man!
I think I understand your comment , not sure though. I think your saying I’m right. Right? Man I hope you show up to the game at the rose bowl , I’d like to meet you, give you a beer and I’ll have my beautiful wife give you a hug… you need it. have a good one socal . I like your Passion man.
Bruin for life!!!!
You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. - John Wooden
Sorry I didn't know he already lost the appeal
Clearly there is something and whatever it was it was wrong. I too would like to know a bit more, too bad they won’t tell us.
by ev on May 12, 2010 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions
NFL
needs to make some changes really fast, no reason his appeal should take that long.
Bruin for life!!!!
You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. - John Wooden
What about the Lie Detector?
I know some on here have said that these test can be gamed; however I don’t agree. There are people who can decieve the test, some can invalidate it by using a pin in the shoe or other ways of creating false physical responses. But passing the test is different and I don’t think it can be so easily dismissed. It may not prove anything, or it maybe, at least he didn’t think he was violating the rules. Why think one test is always correct and the other should be ignored?
Banned from BN and proud of it
On a Lighter Note
Doesn’t this make Cush the only player to win the ROY twice?
Banned from BN and proud of it
lol true
Bruin for life!!!!
You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. - John Wooden
Nothing to celebrate here
He embarrassed himself and the Texans, and he probably was on the juice while at USC too.
Maybe
But he only tested positve one time in September; and passed repeated random test throughout the remainder of the season. I think comparing him to some infamous roid users is going overboard. Not that you have done so, others have.
Banned from BN and proud of it
Hell lets sting him up , he must be more corrupt than our politicians.
Well basically John Wooden was and is a FRAUD, by the way where is Sammy Gilbert Ben needs some ballers.
by so.cal.native1952 on May 12, 2010 11:34 PM PDT reply actions
Should say string him up
look I really don’t care and the world isn’t going to stop spinning because of this.
Well basically John Wooden was and is a FRAUD, by the way where is Sammy Gilbert Ben needs some ballers.
by so.cal.native1952 on May 12, 2010 11:35 PM PDT reply actions
One thing I don't get
Every article brings up the fact that steroid rumors have “followed him since high school,” as if that explains everything.
If Cush was using for the better part of a decade, how did he get away with it? For all of high school (testing kids is not unheard of), all of USC (he played four years and was never suspended), and through the combine/draft process?
MAGNIFICENT GRAND CHAMPION CC NCAA BRACKET 2010
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