Ryan Braun's 2012 News Conference Denying PED Use Even More Ridiculous After Suspension (Video)

Ryan Braun didn’t necessarily admit to using performance-enhancing drugs Monday, but he came very close. At the very least, he’s a long way from where he was just 17 months ago.

Braun was suspended Monday for the rest of the Major League Baseball season for violations of the league’s joint drug prevention and treatment program. It’s not official, but it’s assumed that Braun’s suspension is related to the ongoing Biogenisis investigations. And while Braun didn’t admit to anything specific, he certainly seems to be admitting at least some broad guilt.

“As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect,” Braun said in a statement. “I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions. This situation has taken a toll on me and my entire family, and it has been a distraction to my teammates and the Brewers organization. I am very grateful for the support I have received from players, ownership and the fans in Milwaukee and around the country.

“Finally, I wish to apologize to anyone I may have disappointed — all of the baseball fans, especially those in Milwaukee, the great Brewers organization and my teammates. I am glad to have this matter behind me once and for all, and I cannot wait to get back to the game I love.”

Now, this is a long way from what Braun was saying last February when he was suspended, a suspension that was eventually overturned. That was just the start, however, as Braun has insisted over and over and over again that he was innocent. Yahoo! Sports’ Big League Stew has a breakdown of Braun’s top 10 most damning statements since, and they could probably have even picked more.

The lasting image of Braun’s lies, however, will be the February 2012 news conference at the Brewers’ spring training facility. Braun stood there and adamantly denied any sort of PED use, claims that are now laughable given Monday’s suspension.

See what he had to say in the video below.