Report of Matthews Drug Test Refuted

In response to NFLDraftBible.com’s report that USC linebacker Clay Matthews tested positive for steroids at the NFL Scouting Combine, the agent that represents Matthews has issued an e-mail addressing the situation. In an e-mail sent to Rick Serritella at NFLDraftBible.com, Athletes First vice president and general counsel Mark Humenik stated that neither Matthews nor his agents have been informed of any failed drug test. Plus, he added that a lawyer for the league office told him that the NFL hasn’t received notification that any players have tested positive for steroids at the combine. NFLDraftBible.com also reported that USC linebacker Brian Cushing has tested positive for steroids. Here’s an unabridged copy of the note addressed to NFLDraftBible.com, which is the web site that reported on Matthews and several other players’ allegedly positive tests: “Our office represents Clay Matthews. Your website is reporting, via unnamed sources including one NFL team, that Clay tested positive for steroids at the NFL Combine. As I’m sure you know, the NFL Policy on Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances clearly states that ‘any Club or Club employee that publicly divulges, directly or indirectly, information concerning positive tests or other violations of this Policy (including numerical summaries or specific names of persons) or otherwise breaches the confidentiality provisions of this Policy is subject to a fine of up to $500,000 by the Commissioner.’ “Further, neither Clay nor our office has received notification of any positive test, whether for steroids or any banned substance. I also have been informed by an attorney at the NFL League Office that they have not received notification from the Independent Administrator of any Draft-eligible players testing positive for steroids during the pre-employment drug testing conducted at this year’s Combine, and likewise, that they have not informed the member NFL clubs of any drug testing results. Govern yourself accordingly. Sincerely, Mark Humenik Vice President & General Counsel Athletes First”