Memphis Grizzlies O.J. Mayo Suspended 10 Games By NBA

This just hasn't been O.J. Mayo's season. First he gets beat up by Tony Allen over a game of cards, then he loses his starting 2-guard spot and now per this tweet by Commercial Appeal word is out that he will suspended for ten games by the NBA for violating the league's anti-drug program. Here is an except from the NBA's press release:

The NBA announced today that O.J. Mayo of the Memphis Grizzlies has been suspended without pay for 10 games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program. His violation of the program involved a positive test for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

Per CBS Sports, here is a statement released by Mayo through the Grizzlies organization:

“I’m extremely disappointed that I’m going to miss the next 10 games, particularly as our team is making a push for the playoffs. I had no idea that the over-the-counter supplement that I took was a substance banned by the NBA. It was an honest mistake, but I take full responsibility for my actions. I apologize to my fans, teammates and the Grizzlies organization for regrettably not doing the necessary research about what supplements I can put in my body.”

If I lost 10 games pay equaling up to $405,000 I'd be pretty disappointed too. We've said before that it may be time for a change of scenery for Mayo, who is a still a very capable NBA scorer and defender and near the beginning of his career. If I were in the Bulls front office I'd be blowing up the Grizzlies phone lines because I'm sure right now Mayo can be had for the "low", and Memphis' season is all but in the tank anyway.

So far this season O.J. "Da Juiceman" Mayo (courtesy of @DragonflyJonez) is averaging 12 ppg and about 2 apg. Hope the young man can get it together and become the star many people believe he can be.
-ALR

Ohio ST. QB Terrelle Pryor And Others Suspended For 5 Games In 2011

First things first; I have no problem with student athletes receiving some extra benefits for their performance. The kids generate a ton of money for NCAA programs but they aren't fairly compensated for their efforts (as the rules are written to prevent this). I also have no issue with tattoos. It's your body; do what you please with it. Hell I even have a few myself.
So when this story first leaked via Sports By Brooks that a few members of the Ohio St. Buckeyes football program may have exchanged autographs for tattoos I shrugged and kept sipping my coffee. It's also being reported that the players sold championship rings & trophies. *Shrugs*... But now that 5 players are being suspended for five games next season for "receiving improper benefits" (Pryor, Daniel Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams and Solomon Thomas) it moves me to wonder what exactly Ohio St. is trying to prove here. If the benefits were so improper, then why not suspend Pryor and the four other players for their Bowl game against Arkansas Jan. 4th? Maybe because that bowl game victory could net the program millions of dollars, and Pryor can bounce to the NFL draft this summer? Hmmm...

Whether the players got the tattoos for free or not, I say let the kids make some money off of their ability. College is tough enough as it is, and if someone is willing to throw a young adult a little something for their accomplishments then I personally have no issues with it. If someone wants to pay you for your memorabilia then cool. Get ya' money. Because that is EXACTLY what the NCAA is going to continue to do.

Just be a little smarter when you do try to get ya' money. A nice tattoo and selling traceable awards isn't worth almost half your football season.

-ALR

Los The Fallen - Safety Tanard Jackson Suspended Indefinitely

Judging from the picture above, it looks like the young player has never met a blunt, joint or pipe that he could turn down. According to espn.com, Tamba Bay Bucs starting FS Tanard Jackson has been suspended indefinitely for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He will not be eligible for reinstatement until September 22, 2010 and even then it's in Roger Goodell hands. Jackson was also suspended for the first four games of 2009. Jackson was a fourth round pick back in 2007 and has been a playmaker and very productive in his first few years in the NFL.

All jokes aside, we hope the young man can get his life in order and return back to playing football at a high level. Kids, please just say no.

-ALR