Houston Texans long snapper and Thomas Jefferson graduate Bryan Pittman has tested positive for taking a weight-loss medication that is on the NFL’s list of banned substances. However, his attorney, David Cornwell, in a statement to FOX 26 news in Houston, said his client has done nothing wrong. Pittman is appealing.
“I represent Bryan Pittman,” Cornwell wrote in his statement. “Bryan did everything humanly possible to comply with the NFL steroid policy, including obtaining doctor’s written authorization to take weight loss medication. He did not use steroids.
“Thus far, the only violation of the NFL steroid policy is the breach of Bryan’s absolute right to confidentiality while his appeal proceeds. Whoever is leaking this story is attempting to put their thumb on the scale (of) justice to harm Bryan.”
Pittman’s appeal will be heard Nov. 3. According to NFL policy, the first positive test can result in a four-game suspension.
Pittman signed as a free agent with the Texans in September 2003. He played in six games that year and has played in every game since.
He had a string of 598 consecutive successful snaps broken last year.
The Texans, like all NFL teams, are prohibited from commenting.
FOX 31 in Denver, citing an unnamed source, reported Friday there are between six and 10 positive tests in the NFL for a weight-loss diuretic.
ESPN.com is reporting the number of players who have tested positive is more than 10 and may exceed 15.
The diuretics allegedly involved in the positive tests can be used for weight loss, but also can be used as a masking agent for steroids.
• Gallant Son was in contention to deep stretch, but faded slightly in the final yards and finished seventh in the $2 million Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.
Midshipman, the second choice in the wagering, prevailed by 1¼ lengths over Square Eddie.
Sent off at odds of 16-1, Gallant Son, ridden by Leslie Mawing, was beaten a little over three lengths for the win, and encountered some traffic problems. He loomed in fourth place past mid-stretch, but weakened slightly late.
According to the official chart footnotes: “Gallant Son checked slightly along the rail on the first turn, saved ground for a half, steadied along the inside nearing the quarter pole and faded in the stretch.”
Trainer Frank Lucarelli, however, said it was more a matter of pace, pointing out that Midshipman, Square Eddie and Street Hero—the top three finishers—set the pace through a dawdling opening half-mile of 47.08.
“I was afraid that there wasn’t enough pace and that’s how it played,” Lucarelli said. “All in all, he’s running against horses as good as it gets, and we only get beat three and something lengths. I’m not unhappy at all, I thought he ran a good race.”
Lucarelli and owner Chris Randall were going to discuss Gallant Son’s plans in the future. The options include turning out the colt before a summer campaign at Emerald Downs, or a short respite followed by another race, perhaps in California.
The complete order of finish for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile: Midshipman, Square Eddie, Street Hero, Terrain, Pioneerof the Nile, West Side Bernie, Gallant Son, Silent Valor, Azul Leon, Munnings, Bushranger and Mine That Bird.
Emerald Downs’ champion 2-year-old, Gallant Son has a 4-0-0 record from six starts and earnings of $113,038.
• Seattle Sounders FC will hold open tryouts for the team in Tukwila, Spokane and Yakima next month, the club announced Thursday.
The tryouts will have a twist. They’ll be taped for a reality-based TV show that will air on KING-TV, KONG-TV and Northwest Cable News in late January.
A minimum of three finalists from each city will take part in a one-hour tryout in Seattle that will be televised Feb. 1 after Super Bowl XLII on KING.
Viewers from each city will vote to narrow the list to three players, and judges will choose the winner. The one who emerges will be awarded a spot on the 2009 Sounders FC roster.
Those interested in trying out must be at least 18. The first set of tests is speed and fitness, followed by skills tests and mini-games. The first tryout is Nov. 9 at Spokane’s Plants Ferry Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The second is at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila on Nov. 15, same time, and the third is Nov. 22 at Chesterley Park in Yakima, same time.
Advance registration at www.soundersfc.com is required.
Other Major League Soccer teams, Chivas USA and FC Dallas, have held open tryouts for TV. The clubs were featured in “Sueno MLS” on Spanish-language Univision in 2007 and earlier this year.
Midfielder Jorge Flores was chosen from more than 2,000 participants in 2007 and is now on Chivas USA’s 28-man roster.
• The Tacoma-Pierce County Volleyball Officials Board is in need of individuals who are interested in officiating middle school, junior high, senior high, college, and recreation department volleyball matches throughout Pierce County. A comprehensive training program, starting October 24th, is offered for all new officials and the opportunities to advance in the organization are extensive.
For students, retirees, or former athletes looking to re-connect with a sport, officiating high school and middle school sports is also an excellent way to earn some extra income and provide a great service to the teams. Registration is due no later than October 23rd so please contact us immediately.
For additional information on becoming a volleyball official, visit www.tpcvob.com or contact Marc Blau at (253) 848-1360 or blaumarc@qwest.net or John Wohn at 253-272-8543 or jwohn@yahoo.com.
• Apple Physical Therapy will honor one boy and one girl student athlete for both the Fall and Winter sport seasons with a $1,000 Athlete of the Quarter Scholarship.
Eligible student athletes must be high school seniors enrolled in a Western Washington high school, participating in a varsity sport and be in good-standing academically. The scholarship criteria include athlete performance, community service/involvement and other compelling personal circumstances.
Nomination forms are available to download at Apple Physical Therapy’s Web site, www.applept.com, and can be turned in to any Apple Physical Therapy clinic location or other participating private practice location. A complete list of locations is on Apple Physical Therapy’s Web site. Nomination forms are due December 1 for fall, 2008 and March 1 for Winter, 2009 applications.
Scholarship winners will be announced at the conclusion of the Fall, 2008 and Winter, 2009 seasons on the High School GameTime television program on King 5 and Kong 6/16.
Apple Physical Therapy is also the official athletic training partner for the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) and oversees young athletes at the state football, basketball and softball tournaments each year.
• The Federal Way School District sign program is entering its second year. Advertising banners may be placed at Federal Way Memorial Field or in secondary schools. Each banner costs $500. For more information, contact Greg Flynn at gflynn@fwps or call (253) 945-5575.
Send Sports Briefs to sports@fedwaymirror.com
