Vijay Singh on Deer-Antler Spray: 'I Have Used It,' Says Pro Golfer (VIDEOS)
Vijay Singh's deer-antler spray admission shocked the sports world as the pro golfer claimed ignorance regarding the banned substances contained in the product. The Fijian golfer violated the PGA Tour's Anti-Doping policy when he paid $9,000 for the spray, but said he didn't know what he was doing was wrong.
Vijay Singh's use of deer-antler spray came after a Sports Illustrated report named him and NFL star linebacker Ray Lewis as regular users of the substance. David Epstein, a senior writer for the publication, said Singh admitted his use to him personally, but that it he didn't seem to know it was banned by the Professional Golfers Association.
Singh then released a statement Wednesday detailing his use of the product. Even though the company that sells the deer-antler spray is called S.W.A.T.S.— Sports with Alternatives to Steroids— the former no. 1-ranked golfer said he "did not see any prohibited substances" listed on the bottle.
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"While I have used deer-antler spray, at no time was I aware that it may contain a substance that is banned under the PGA Tour Anti-Doping Policy. In fact, when I first received the product, I reviewed the list of ingredients and did not see any prohibited substances," Singh's camp said Wednesday.
"I am absolutely shocked that deer antler spray may contain a banned substance and am angry that I have put myself in this position. I have been in contact with the PGA Tour and am cooperating fully with their review of this matter. I will not be commenting further at this time," the 49-year-old concluded.
Meanwhile, Ray Lewis, the star Baltimore Ravens linebacker who was also named in the Sports Illustrated report, adamantly denied using the deer-antler velvet spray.
"I've said it before, I've said it a million times, the reason I'm smiling because it is so funny and absurd," Lewis said at a press conference Wednesday. "I never ever took what he said or whatever I was supposed to. And it's sad that someone could have such attention on this stage."
When reporters pointed out that he seemed angry over the allegations, Lewis dismissed the claims, saying he was too "blessed" to fall for a "trick of the devil."
"[I'm] never angry," he said. "I'm too blessed to be stressed. You can use a different word, agitated. I'm agitated because I'm here to win a Super Bowl. I'm not here to entertain someone who doesn't respect that one way or the other."
The S.W.A.T.S. deer antler velvet spray contains IGF-1, which is banned by various sports organizations. The company is reportedly straightforward that the spray contains a banned substance.
