Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan said he’s facing a four-game suspension for unknowingly using a banned substance.
In a video Lewan posted Wednesday, he denied taking the substance — Ostarine — or any other banned substance that would prompt an NFL suspension.
“My name’s Taylor Lewan, I’m the left tackle for the Tennessee Titans. And I’m making this video so it comes from me and from nobody else and it doesn’t leave anything up for interpretation,” Lewan said. “I received a letter from the NFL a few weeks ago saying that I failed a drug test for Ostarine. Ostarine is a supplement banned from WADA (world anti-doping agency) in 2007. It’s known as a SARM (selective androgen receptor modulators). The way the CBA (collective bargaining agreement) works is a strict liability policy. So I’m completely responsible for the things that are in my body whether the supplement I’m taking has it on the label or not.
“I want everyone to know that I’ve never taken supplement knowingly and I’ve never cheated the game and I never will. I have notes, those things don’t really matter [puts down phone]. What really is important to me is that people know I’m not a cheater. I went and did a polygraph test about Ostarine and knowingly taking it and I passed that test. I’ve never taken anything that would cheat the game. I’m so sorry to the Tennessee Titans … [gets emotional] … This is hard. I’m sorry to the Titans and the fans that I won’t be there for four games. I’ve never cheated myself and I never wanted you guys to feel cheated. And I’m sorry, but I’m gonna be better for this. I’m gonna come back. I got my supplements tested by a third party. I’m going to release that polygraph. There’s also been letters on the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), Clemson and other NFL players that have failed for Ostarine as well that I’ll make public. I’ll do whatever I can to prove that I’ve never done anything wrong in regards to supplements or taking anything knowingly. Thank you so much for watching this video and thank you to everyone who supports me.”
The highest-paid left tackle in the NFL, Lewan, 28, would be eligible to return to the Titans in Week 5 if suspended. NFL Network reported shortly after Lewan released the video that the league office has not made an official decision on Lewan’s status.
Right tackle Jack Conklin would be the most likely candidate to slide to left tackle, but Conklin is expected to be limited in August as he returns from a torn ACL.
–Field Level Media
