Report: Ray Lewis May Have Used Banned Substance to Recover From Torn Triceps

by Doug Kyed on Tue, Jan 29, 2013 at 12:51PM

If you were wondering how it only took Ray Lewis 11 weeks to come back from an injury that’s usually a season-killer, we might have an answer.

The Ravens’ linebacker may have used deer antler velvet spray, according to Sports Illustrated. The spray contains IGF-1, which is on the NFL’s list of banned substances.

After suffering the injury on Oct. 14, Lewis called Sports with Alternatives to Steroids (S.W.A.T.S) to see what he could take to recover faster. He was prescribed holographic stickers, a powder additive, sleeping in front of a beam-ray light, negatively charged water, deer antler pills and deer antler velvet extract.

Lewis was to spritz the deer antler under his tongue every two hours. The owner of S.W.A.T.S, Mitch Ross, recorded a phone conversation with Lewis that detailed the program.

At one point in the conversation, Lewis said, ”just pile me up and just send me everything you got, because I got to get back on this this week.”

With the Super Bowl just five days away, there’s likely little the NFL can do about these allegations. If Lewis wasn’t retiring after the game, he could be suspended for four games next season.

Lewis’ teammate, Ed Reed, said Monday that he’s not so sure Lewis is going to retire after the 49ers game, though. Reed even suggested that Lewis may play just 10 games next year.