Me thinks that Brian Cushing has been well-taught in the art of bullshitting...

In case you guys and gals didn't know, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Brian Cushing has been suspended for the first four games of the upcoming NFL season for testing positive to the banned substance HCG (a fertility drug which can be used to restart testosterone production after a steroid cycle). Cushing claims that he never took HCG, and has no idea how the drug entered his body. After months of medical tests, Cushing and the Houston Texans organization have decided to appeal the suspension on the grounds that Cushing experiences a unique medical condition called OAS (overtrained athlete syndrome). This condition produces occasional hormonal spikes after breaks in training, which could potentially explain Cushing's positive test for HCG.

I'm still struggling with the notion that a medical condition called Overtrained Athlete Syndrome actually exists. But even though it apparently does, this defense by Cushing and the Texans is ridiculous, and for lack of a better word, bullshit. I'll be the first one to eat my words if OAS is actually the cause for this positive test, but it seems like Cushing is defending himself by saying that he suffers from what most professional athletes are paid to do: train themselves to the brink of overtraining. Honestly, these days, consuming a banned substance can be the simple result of unknowingly drinking a protein shake tainted with the substance. Even if Cushing never knowingly took HCG, the likelihood that OAS is the reason for its presence in Cushing seems comical: Why is this the first time anyone has used this as a defense? To add insult to injury, look at the confidence Cushing has in regards to explaining his "unfortunate" condition:

"I think that's the final diagnosis we came up with..."

I mean, not even Cushing himself is optimistic about this one, saying "I've got 12 games I've got to get ready for".

Give it up Brian Cushing. Accept the punishment and move on before you start to develop Overbullshitting athlete syndrome.

Brett Favre retiring? Once again, I have no f***ing idea.

Yesterday, Brett Favre announced for the third time in his career that he would be retiring from the NFL. Apparently, after he had surgery on his left ankle, the magic wasn't there and he texted teammates to call it quits, saying that "they know what's going on with me". Really? Is that why Ryan Longwell, an NFL vet himself, said that Favre gave no indications that he was planning on retiring? Is that why less than a day later, Brett Favre does the exact same shit that he did the last time he retired and reverses course, saying that he will play if healthy? While I'm glad that most reports confirm that the decision is not based on money, I doubt that Favre's previous 'retirements' were based on the matter: The dude is very rich. What bothers me is that even though he has led the Jets and Vikings to at least relatively successful seasons coming out of 'retirement', Favre manages to single-handedly control the fate of an entire organization. Like the Jets did, the Vikings need Favre now. They don't have another proven QB, and they drafted in this past NFL draft under the assumption Favre would return. Favre was and still is one of my favorite QBs on the field. You can't not admire his risk-taking gun-slinger mentality. But c'mon Brett. Think a little before you send the entire NFL and Viking organizations into a state of panic. Use that calm, relaxed persona you so often are depicted as in those Wrangler commercials to realize that until you are 100% sure about something, keep your mouth shut to the public about it.

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Goodell Loves to Probe

Just when I thought sexual commentary was confined to basketball, and men jumping on top of one another in shiny tight pants was enough male-on-male for the NFL, the Commish has promised a "thorough" probe into the Roethlesberger scandal. Frankly, isn't the issue that the Steelers QB allegedly did some inappropriate probing!? Should we not stop the probing?

Between penetration and probing, it is not wonder there are so many sex scandals in professional sports.

The hard-hitting reality...

According to this article on ESPN, next month, the NFL will submit its' findings in regards to how football helmets should be constructed. The end goal is to minimize concussions without simultaneously inhibiting the game at hand. What most ordinary people don't know is that most of the research done is by companies and committees that have a vested interest in the financial well-being of the league. For example, the helmet maker Riddell has a special deal with the league, where no other helmet can be explicitly advertised except for theirs. And while the NFL has established committees like the Committee on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI), these committees are essentially denying that the problem even exists, with spokespersons using miniscule samples to make broad generalizations, even going so far as claiming that concussions have not been an issue. Maybe they should ask how any of the 10 concussions Troy Aikman had felt (although maybe Troy should deny having had one to prove his point). Or take a look at a 1995 NFL Players Association survey where more than 61% of former NFL players said that they had gotten a concussion at some point in their NFL careers. Last time I checked these people are the ones actually playing the game.

Some helmet makers have chosen not to be relegated to this closed system, and I applaud them for prioritizing integrity over potential economic limitations/opportunities within the league. But the onus is not simply on those in the helmet making industry to initiate change. Players need to come together to prove that concussions are an increasing reality in the hard-hitting game of football. The ESPN article refers to a former NFL Player who has created an organization designed to spread awareness of the traumatic effects of post-concussion syndrome. One would think that more high-profile players who have suffered concussions such as Aikman and Steve Young would help spread the word that research needs to be done that puts the focus squarely on preventative measures from an impartial source. And maybe the NFL can continue to make late hits and helmet to helmet hits a harsher penalty. While nobody wants the NFL to turn into a league worried exclusively about excessive contact and inadequate padding, with the speed of the game constantly increasing, the players' safety needs to be a primary issue, and one that is examined before the players have to suffer the consequences.