NFL Player suing ALRI Nutrition

[240 is Back]

POSTED 10:33 a.m. EDT, March 12, 2008
AYANBADEJO SUES SUPPLEMENT MAKER by Michael David Smith

Former NFL player Obafemi Ayanbadejo, who has not played since he was suspended four games last year for violating the policy on steroids and related substances, has filed a lawsuit against a supplement company that he says is responsible for his positive drug test.
"I took a supplement that had a banned substance in it that was not listed on the bottle," Ayanbadejo told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I know a lot of guys have been using that excuse. But I said from the beginning that I was going to sue the company and make sure that whoever was responsible would face the music."

Ayanbadejo, who says that even after serving his suspension the stigma of having failed a drug test kept other teams from signing him, is suing ALR Industries, the maker of the supplement that he says was tainted, and the Nutrimart store where he says he bought the supplement. The Union-Tribune could not reach either defendant. The supplement Ayanbadejo says he took, Max LMG, has been discontinued, and the Nutrimart is closed.

Although other NFL players, including Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, have blamed their positive drug tests on tainted supplements, Ayanbadejo is believed to be only the second to file such a lawsuit. The first, former Patriots running back Mike Cloud, settled out of court.

Ayanbadejo's lawyer, Jim Miller, says it is not clear whether the banned substance was intentionally added to the supplement or whether it was a result of an accidental contamination.

The NFL and the NFL Players Association encourage players to educate themselves about which supplements have been approved via the Supplement Certification Program. That program certifies certain supplements as not containing any banned substances, and containing only the ingredients listed on the label. Ayanbadejo apparently did not avail himself of the program.

The NFL does not view a tainted supplement as a valid excuse for a positive test. League policy says, "a positive test result will not be excused because a player was unaware that he was taking a prohibited substance."

[marcus]

Wouldn't surprise me that it's ALRI.

[gordiano]

Wouldn't surprise me that it's ALRI.

Their fucking comp. president/owner/ceo looks like a POS!


I wouldn't put it past them to spike shit.

[marcus]

There was a big thing about them a while back about roids being snuck into their "test booster" Jungle Warfare. Dunno how things turned out but that's enough to keep myself away from them.

[Ron]

Someone sueing a supplement company over a product in which they claim has nandrolone in it. From 2005. It will be interesting to see how they prove this.

Do they have the original bottle?
Do they know that ALRI manufactures the product somewhere else, and they usually have test bottles, and insurance?
Was the person taking prescription medicine at any time, or other products?
Did he really not take anything else....

Been involved in this line of questioning before...

[Matt C]

Their fucking comp. president/owner/ceo looks like a POS!


I wouldn't put it past them to spike shit.

The only supplement I tried which I am almost certain was spiked was SIZEON by Gaspari Nutrition:

http://www.bodybuildingpro.com/gasparinutritionsizeonreview.html

I gained 10 pounds off it which I kept for quite some time got a pimple on my shoulder while using it.  I never, ever get pimples anywhere.  I have had maybe four pimples in the past eight years.  Also, wasn't a Gaspari product spiked before?  It was posted on here, although it may have been accidental, as I can't remember the specific details.

If SIZEON isn't spiked, it is the most effective creatine out there.  I used it twice with almost exactly the same results (best the first time around though).  Spiked or not, I want to use it again. 

[Alex23]

Someone sueing a supplement company over a product in which they claim has nandrolone in it. From 2005. It will be interesting to see how they prove this.

Do they have the original bottle?
Do they know that ALRI manufactures the product somewhere else, and they usually have test bottles, and insurance?
Was the person taking prescription medicine at any time, or other products?
Did he really not take anything else....

Been involved in this line of questioning before...

"nandrolone" doesn't metabolize orally therefore doesn't produce the "detectable" metabolite.

[gordiano]

The only supplement I tried which I am almost certain was spiked was SIZEON by Gaspari Nutrition:

http://www.bodybuildingpro.com/gasparinutritionsizeonreview.html

I gained 10 pounds off it which I kept for quite some time got a pimple on my shoulder while using it.  I never, ever get pimples anywhere.  I have had maybe four pimples in the past eight years.  Also, wasn't a Gaspari product spiked before?  It was posted on here, although it may have been accidental, as I can't remember the specific details.

If SIZEON isn't spiked, it is the most effective creatine out there.  I used it twice with almost exactly the same results (best the first time around though).  Spiked or not, I want to use it again. 

I somewhat vaguely remember something about "halodrol" or some shit like that.....

[Matt C]

I somewhat vaguely remember something about "halodrol" or some shit like that.....

Yeah, sounds familiar.

[Van_Bilderass]

Their fucking comp. president/owner/ceo looks like a POS!


I wouldn't put it past them to spike shit.

The problem, like I've said before, is that companies like ALRI hide the active compound under faulty and obscure terminology on the label.

I think the Max LMG contained a steroid called Madol or DMT (desoxymethyltestosterone), a steroid used by BALCO. There is no question whether the product contained a steroid. Even "L.Rea" has talked extensively about it. I think the lawsuit will focus on whether ALRI is at fault for the athlete failing the test by not informing consumers properly.

More recently ALRI was shown to sneak in steroids in their Jungle Warfare product and the company had to finally admit it. Rea is a scumbag for selling steroids to teens claiming they are "herbals".

[Van_Bilderass]

Someone sueing a supplement company over a product in which they claim has nandrolone in it. From 2005. It will be interesting to see how they prove this.

Do they have the original bottle?
Do they know that ALRI manufactures the product somewhere else, and they usually have test bottles, and insurance?
Was the person taking prescription medicine at any time, or other products?


Did he really not take anything else....

Been involved in this line of questioning before...

There is no question the product contained a steroid. All you have to do is to search bb.com and various other forums where it's been discussed extensively by the company itself.

But is ALRI at fault for the athlete failing? That's the question.

[gordiano]

What we need to do is make complete list of these "suspect" products, so that we may avoid ( ) them at all costs........

[Tombo]

There is no question the product contained a steroid. All you have to do is to search bb.com and various other forums where it's been discussed extensively by the company itself.

But is ALRI at fault for the athlete failing? That's the question.

Well if he has the original bottle and it comes up with the same positive, then im sure they are, not sure about your liability and product + consumer laws over in the US.

[dknole]

There is no question the product contained a steroid. All you have to do is to search bb.com and various other forums where it's been discussed extensively by the company itself.

But is ALRI at fault for the athlete failing? That's the question.

Yes if ALRI broke the US laws.

[240 is Back]

usually when you think of 'spiking supplements', you think it's a great thing... we consumers get steroid benefits with none of the risk or guilt.

But when you think about the groups of tested athletes who use the product, it creates a new set of problems.

[Van_Bilderass]

Someone posted this on the MD forums:

I am posting this from the new 2008 ALR Magazine released at the Arnold Classic. The text remains as it was sent from USA today.

My Day With the World of Media Mania


When reading a so-called news story, do you ever wonder how much is drama media and how much is actual journalism? Since I happen to land in the press on occasion, I sometimes get to see what a joke most paparazzi, um…I mean so-called reporters are. Now don’t get me wrong, there are many very good journalists. However, we all know that drama as well as sex sell and the reporters are there to make money…not to be noble…like most doing a job. Some can do both- be noble and do their job.


Once Upon A Time…


Some months ago, Obafemi Ayanbadejo was informed that he had tested positive for banned substances. First, Obafemi Ayanbadejo is an NFL football player and second “banned” means that the players of an organization have been banned from using a product. Furthermore, banned does not mean that the product is illegal or wrong for those whom have not agreed to avoid the use of such products. It is kind of like how nudity is banned on some beaches but not so on others…often it depends upon the country and/or sport.

I recently had the pleasure of sharing an e-mail interview by Mr. Perez from USA Today™. The outcome? It is stories like this one that keeps America weakening due to near propaganda media hype. It is another paparazzi style example of manipulated information. It consisted of a few half quotes, which are used to help destroy the future careers for athletes like Obafemi Ayanbadejo and which also attempts to make supplement companies look evil. The story is titled, “Study finds steroids, illegal stimulants in supplements” and can be read on line at http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2007-12-05-supplements-focus_N.htm


Come on…Can You Take This “Study” Serious?


Errors in the study begin with the source or origin to the prime error of a focus upon the testosterone boosting supplements that rely on various AI’s (aromatase inhibitors that reduce estrogen thus stimulate the testes to make more testosterone naturally). Most AI’s are weak androgens that are analogs of or which are related to androstenedione, such as ATD and 6-Bromo-androstenedione. Naturally, the relationship will result in an error positive test for “steroids”. This is like going to a brothel and counting the number of “promiscuous women” and quoting it as a study of the world’s population of women. In short, the study was set to assure failure and to ensure that a high percentage of products to be called in error as contaminated.

It is bad enough that WADA wishes to control the worlds choices in supplements (not just athlete who are tested…everyone’s supplements). What is even worse is that under-qualified reporters support this and they induce media hysteria of a near benign issue. Think about it. Tested athletes already have the option to NOT use banned supplements and they have a list to work from of approved supplements…so no need for additional laws to be created, huh? The study itself is riddled with flaws but worse is the twist that the “reporter” duped uninformed readers with.

The sole “partial” quote used from this 2-day interview is interesting in that it attempts to make the quote support the reporter’s opinions rather than that of the one interviewed...me: (From USA Today™)
It's not known whether ALRI Industries' Max LMG, the supplement Ayanbadejo says he took, was tested. Ayanbadejo says he took the supplement with the words "Muscle Strength Hardness" emblazoned on the bottle for three weeks in January.
ALRI owner Author Rea says Max LMG stopped making the product in 2005, well before the study commenced. He said in an e-mail the product is still legal today, but he halted production because of "political hype demonizing (the) legal personal choice for non-competing individuals."

The actual quote from the saved e-mail interview was:

The why is simple, too much media and political hype demonizing legal personal choice for non-competing individuals due to too many athletes cheating and using compounds that are banned and in some cases illegal.

Hmmm, reads a bit different now doesn’t it? Below is the complete interview for those interested in how a media fair tale is created from truth.


E-mail Interview with Mr. Perez from USA Today™


ALR: Hate late flights. Never can sleep to long after getting in. Do you travel a lot for USA or is it more internet research these days?
May I ask the actual title, intent and direction or goal for this story you are asking my help on? Perhaps there would be a good start?

Perez: The story is on a study that shows that 25% of sports supplements purchased in the U.S. showed small amounts of steroids. Femi is just an anecdote in the story, but since I will mention you, I want to give you a chance to respond.

ALR: As to mentioning me and my company, I always enjoy the press. Thank you. If you could send me the study I will be happy to read it for you and give you some ideas on its methods. Sounds like I will be doing a piece on it eventually anyway.

Perez: Yep, got all the GMPs and reporting info I need.

ALR: GMPs have been proven error filled to many times as their testing methods do not ID actual compounds often but rather groups. Not good enough in a court thank God. LOL, but you are correct that until the laws changed there were too many less than proper production facilities IMO. Personally I am glad for the newer guide lines.

Perez: Sorry for the delay. Obafemi Ayanbadejo has accused your company of selling him a supplement (Max LMG) that had a designer form of a steroid inside of it. Of course, if this is true, ALRI isn't alone. Many companies have been sold raw materiel that had trace amounts of illegal substances or lax policies by your manufacturer can lead to contamination. I want to give ALRI a chance to respond to Obafemi's allegations, which I'm sure you are familiar. Also, why was Max LMG pulled off the market and when? Have you established stricter policies since? Thanks for your time. I can be reached in my office (xxx-xxx-xxxx) for a couple more hours or afterward on my cell (xxx-xxx-xxxx).

ALR: Thank you for the answer. Just have a few minutes, sorry for the piece meal replies. I am in Denver now then off to LV. Funny, Under the terms the media and most sports orgs have chosen, all peat moss, yams and 80% of women test positive too (the latter if they are tested for estra/nandrolone metabolites). The question is what you are defining as “steroid Also, since we test our raws and final product, and once did so for several companies I am curious as to where the idea that 25% came from and based upon what testing procedure. Looks like we can trade some knowledge here AJ. Thanks for the interest.
No problem on being delayed. Due to the late reply I have to apologize as I am boarding a plane while finishing up an interview and will need to get back to this in the AM...once you take a few minutes to answer my question from the last e-mail please:
I am sure that you realize I am not on trial here and have no obligation to help you any more than. Therefore it is a favor. Please show this situation the same respect you would expect in reverse. I am certain you can understand this simple request.

Perez: The study deals with banned substances by WADA, although there's overlap between that list and those illegal in the states (andro, ephedra…). I can't send the study out until Wednesday, but as soon as the clock hits midnight here, I'll try to make sure it'll head your way.

ALR: If you do, thank you

Perez: Here's what I was looking to get answered: Why was Max LMG pulled?

ALR: Why? Good question as it is still legal today and yes, it is an estra analog and hormone. We pulled all of our prohormones in 2005 and posted it on our site for about 8 months. The why is simple, too much media and political hype demonizing legal personal choice for non-competing individuals due to too many athletes cheating and using compounds that are banned and in some cases illegal. It should have remained freedom of choice for non-competing individuals but such is politics. Almost all sports organizations banned them in 2006 or 2007. It seemed only obvious that an era was gone and time to focus on projects more politically acceptable.

We are regulated by some very strict rules by the FDA (contrary to some beliefs) and being part of a problem Congress blamed the FDA for is going to lead to bad relationships fast. So we opted to move on.

The football player is a perfect example of why we opted out. Players are ALL made aware of the banned companies. Please see http://www.nflpa.org/RulesAndRegs/BannedCompanies.aspx

You will note that if the company has ever made a prohormone or related supplement they are banned until they submit GMP cert with discontinuance of the offending product then go through approval. Note banned and illegal is two different terms. But ALRI is on there. Which of course is one of many reasons the lad cannot sue us without admitting the obvious. We were not interested in that market at one time but are planning to seek the cert in 2008 sometime simply because now we are interested in the world as a market rather than simply bodybuilders. The world wants to use what their heroes use...like Miller. lol Pulling all listed prohormones was a start and moving toward this for us. We (ALR Industries) hired an FDA advisory lawyer as well. Time will tell how we do.

Point is that we are on the (NFL) banned list. He used a product from a banned company that under the 2006-2007 testing guide lines will test positive for an estra analog. It is not an issue of contamination, he used a banned compound. So to save face he says he wants to sue us yet likely knew he was using a banned compound, (if he signed all of his paper and read them) that could cause him to test positive for estra/nandrolone metabolites. I feel for the guy, but he opted to not follow the rules...and this led to more bad press with several mistakes in it. If we had not discontinued it years ago I am sure the FDA would have taken offense eventually. Make sense?

Perez: When? Where do your raw materials come from?

ALR: That depends: China, USA, India and sometimes England at that time. We try to buy mostly USA now simply because we test our raws and final products. If they fail to test right it is easier to get repaid here than overseas.

Perez: (I know China has been the source of some of the tainted supply.) Do you feel the need to be part of a trade group that tests, approves and provides your company with seal to put on your bottles to show the customer you're supplements are safe?

ALR: No, then we are empowering another paid company (.org groups do not work for free) to do what the FDA already makes us do. We are required by law to test our raws and final products then save 2 bag n tag samples (actual bottles of completed products) with the certificates of analysis for each lot/run. They (FDA) does come take them from time to time to retest themselves, of course, and they often test our raws coming in if they are imported. As a whole, the FDA does a pretty good job most do not give them credit for. There is a lot more to this industry than simply buying a compound and putting it in a bottle (that) most would not be aware of unless they worked in this industry.

Also, innovation would end as would the ability for anyone to afford supplementation. This may or may not matter to you (Perez) , but there are a few hundred million souls who it does matter to.

As to safe we are talking subjective I assume? Every year people die from Tylenol (something like 5000 yearly I believe....have to check CDC on that) and it is almost always due to over-dose. How many die from fast food diets?

Hopefully you would agree that is certainly not acceptable. So safe in recommended dosages is and should be mandatory IMO. Ingesting too much of most anything has health risk so please forgive the subjective comment. Simply clarifying. We have to carry some very large insurance policies to do business and we go through a validation board to get it. This board will not allow us to be insured for known dangerous compounds. In short we have way fewer risks of harm or death than big pharma and a record to prove it. I feel people have a right to know they are safe if taking a product in recommended amounts of course.


Interesting thought for you. Look at any prescription bottle you may have. Count the words on warnings, use, directions, etc. Yes, they are prescribed but you really get little info. You have to trust your doctor there. Have you ever heard of a doctor calling a patient he/she prescribed Valium to make sure they woke up the next day? Of course not. There is an assumed capacity for the user to be able to follow directions and that the MD got it right. If you look at the number of deaths from mis-prescription or user error for pharmaceuticals you would wonder why drugs are required to have less information on the bottle than even a bottle of vitamin C. The FDA has a lot of info we are required to provide the user for supplements. Just a thought of interest.


Moral of the Story?


Don’t simply believe that what you read in the media are all the facts just because they said so. There are many good journalists that actually do the research so they are able to report rather than opinionate. While there are others who opinionate and live through others vicariously. (Yes, our attorney has the original e-mails as I am somewhat certain AJ Perez will take offense. But hey, I am just reporting the facts.)

Author L. Rea

I think Rea is probably right in the bolded parts but I wonder if they can get into trouble for selling something that was never really legal anyway. And I can't recall if the chemical nomenclature on the label was correct on Max LMG. That may be illegal in itself. If you read bb.com forums you can see Patrick Arnold always calling out ALRI and other companies for this BS, for not labeling the products correctly.

[Lift Studios]

usually when you think of 'spiking supplements', you think it's a great thing... we consumers get steroid benefits with none of the risk or guilt.

But when you think about the groups of tested athletes who use the product, it creates a new set of problems.

It's also the athlete's responsibility to know what they are taking and not believe everything the 60 year old woman or the 22 year old guy at their local GNC tells them.

There are special "Collegiate" blends of protein for universities.

Where's that "Manninen Dude" when you need him?

[Melvin Goodrum]

If you read the label of MAX LMG, its obvious as to what the product contains.    Its a progestin for starters and it should have given any tested athlete the message not to use it.

The NFL player is trying to make some money off of this however it won't really go anywhere.  Legality has already been established for this product to be sold in the US and the product taken was something that could be assumed was going to be a clean product as in Mike Cloud's case.  His contaminated supplement was some protein powder from Muscletech 

The NFL has already stated that a "contaminated supplement" is no valid excuse.  End of story

[El Diablo Blanco]

Hahahahahaha.  I know that nutrimart.  it was in Del Mar and they had to close and move because the owner of the mall thought that their store didn't fit the image the mall was trying to get.  They wanted to attract a "high-end" clientelle and this low brow store attracted the wrong type of people.  The one thing this douche bag needs to admit is that it wasn't the ALRI that got him a positive test but it was the shit they sold under the counter to customers that was unlabelled.

[El Diablo Blanco]

BY the way.  The NFL gives a huge list to all players and recomeng certain vendors only and certain supps.  These jackasses who gets paid millions decide that they know more than the NFL and want to use some over the counter crap from a small hole in the wall store.  Get real.

[saucetradomous]

It's also the athlete's responsibility to know what they are taking and not believe everything the 60 year old woman or the 22 year old guy at their local GNC tells them.

There are special "Collegiate" blends of protein for universities.

Where's that "Manninen Dude" when you need him?

Yes, if it wasn't listed on the label he should have broght it to a lab himself 

[HTexan]

This lawsuit isn't going to go anywhere.

[Van_Bilderass]

Legality has already been established for this product to be sold in the US

I don't think so. If they were so legal the companies would not have been pressured to stop selling them.

[Manninen dude]

One should not trust ALRI.

[Stavios]

is Author.l.rea the asshole who spits on the bar at the beggining of the MD Videos