Thursday, August 14, 2008

Titans' Fowler assuming steroids case is closed

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee linebacker Ryan Fowler considers his steroids case with the NFL closed.

Fowler said Wednesday he hasn't heard from the league since requesting a meeting to address allegations that he bought performance-enhancing drugs from a Texas-based steroids dealer in 2006. The NFL sent him a letter in June stating he faced an investigation and possible suspension.

Fowler said he assumes the probe has ended with no punishment planned.

"Until I hear anything else, that's the way I'm looking at it right now," Fowler said after practice. "I'm focusing on football. Until I hear anything else, I'll assume it's over."

Fowler was linked to convicted steroids dealer David Jacobs, who was found dead with a female companion in his Plano, Texas, home in June in what police called a murder-suicide.

Jacobs told The Dallas Morning News before he died that he had supplied Fowler with drugs before and after the 2006 season, and he gave the NFL names of players who bought steroids from him.

The NFL did not immediately respond to an e-mail from The Associated Press.

Fowler has denied using any performance-enhancing drugs. His attorney has pointed out that Fowler never tested positive for any banned substance and had requested to meet with the NFL.

The linebacker signed with Tennessee in 2007 as a restricted free agent and started 14 games before hurting his shoulder at Kansas City in December. He said he's frustrated that the allegations came out and that he had to deal with the scrutiny.

"No matter what anybody says there's going to be people who automatically assume guilty until proven innocent, which is sort of a tough pill to swallow," Fowler said. "Now that it's over, or seems to be over, I'm trying to move on past it."




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