Raji: Failed Test Report is BS

Defensive tackle B.J. Raji, currently the consensus pick for the Cincinnati Bengals at six, did not fail a drug test at the NFL combine in February, according to his reps at Athletes First.

On Friday, the NFL issued a statement challenging the foundation for these reports and indicating that neither the League, nor its member clubs, know the results of drug or steroid tests taken at the 2009 Combine and that the independent medical advisors who administer the tests have notified in writing those players – and only those players – who tested positive at the Combine.

“B.J. Raji has NOT received any letter from the NFL or the Independent Administrator indicating that he tested positive for drugs at the Combine. Further, after these unsubstantiated reports surfaced, B.J. contacted the independent medical advisor’s office (Dr. Lawrence Brown) to confirm that he had not been sent any letter and has not been entered into the NFL’s Drug Intervention Program. B.J. did not receive a return call from Dr. Brown, but learned today that Dr. Brown is not allowed to talk to any player directly unless that player was sent a letter informing him that he had failed a drug test at the NFL Combine and/or been instructed to contact Dr. Brown. That Dr. Brown will not talk to B.J. – as Dr. Brown would otherwise be expected to do under the NFL Substance Abuse Policy if B.J. had failed a drug test or being sent a letter directing him to contact the medical advisor’s office – is further proof that these reports are untrue.

Raji is, obviously, happy that the truth is out.

“The biggest thing is trying to figure out how this started,” Raji said. “I couldn’t understand how this rumor became such a big splash in the media when there was no evidence – there was no substance to believe it. The last couple days, I was just trying to figure out: Who? What? Basically, why?”

“Now, I’m happy the truth is out. Obviously, it’s not going to be as big of a splash as the negative part. But as long as the coaches and the decision-makers know what is true, then I don’t need to be concerned with everybody else.”

The original report, by Tony Pauline, still appears on the Sports Illustrated site.