NFL starts investigation about viking's RB fiasco

[Mr. Laz]

Last update: May 12, 2005 at 7:17 AM
Vikings: Smith may face yearlong suspension
Mark Craig, Star Tribune
May 12, 2005 VIKE0512


Vikings running back Onterrio Smith faces a possible yearlong suspension pending the outcome of an NFL investigation launched Wednesday after a Star Tribune report that Smith was detained last month at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with a kit used to circumvent drug tests.

Smith, a two-time offender of the league's substance abuse policy, has turned to his longtime attorney, David Cornwell. Cornwell is better known as the lawyer representing retired running back Ricky Williams in his attempt to re-enter the NFL following multiple positive tests for marijuana.

The Vikings, meanwhile, are powerless. They can neither punish Smith, per the league's interpretation of the collective bargaining agreement with the players' association, nor hide from the humiliation of being the butt of jokes about Smith and the device he was caught with, called "The Original Whizzinator."

Onterrio SmithAnn HeisenfeltAssociated Press"Onterrio has embarrassed the team, but, first and foremost, he embarrassed himself," Vikings center Matt Birk said. "He's a member of a team, and he represents that team. He hasn't represented us in a positive way. But I think he did more damage to himself."

Several other Vikings players declined to comment at Winter Park. Smith, who issued a statement through Cornwell, was among those who declined to comment through the team's public relations staff.

"Yeah, guys are talking about it," tight end Sean Berton said. "But I don't think we have enough details to comment."

Coach Mike Tice was brief, saying, "We will monitor the situation and see how and if the league deals with the situation." Owner Red McCombs didn't return a call.

The league isn't sure what, if any, punishment will be given.

"Under the terms of our [drug] policy, a deliberate attempt to substitute or alter a specimen during collection is a violation," league spokesman Greg Aiello said in a statement. "But the possession of paraphernalia outside of a testing situation will be investigated and action taken if appropriate."

Smith was suspended for four games last season for a second positive test for marijuana. A third positive test results in a yearlong ban. Aiello said it's possible but too early to tell whether this incident will be viewed as the equivalent of a third positive test.

Whether the Vikings can take action after the investigation is complete is uncertain. They positioned themselves to move on without Smith when they traded up in the fourth round of last month's draft to select Florida running back Ciatrick Fason.

"There are areas that are uncharted, and this certainly is one of them," said Stacy Robinson, co-administrator of the drug and steroids policy for the players' association. "Normally, anything drug-related is covered under the drug policy, and teams can't [discipline a player]. But I don't know where this would fall. Our legal department would have to look at it."

Aiello said the NFL is aware of devices such as The Original Whizzinator. This particular device includes a prosthetic penis attached to a jockstrap and a plastic bag. Dried urine is mixed with water and inserted into the bag. Smith also was caught with six or seven vials of dried urine.

"Our [testing] program requires that players be visually observed from the front giving the sample with their shirts off and pants down to their knees, making the effectiveness of such an effort remote," Aiello said.

Cornwell used that logic to release a statement defending Smith.

Said Cornwell in part: "The kit was given to Onterrio, and it was obvious that it would be useless given the collection procedures under the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. He placed the kit in his bag and simply forgot about it."

When told that his statement wasn't believable, particularly the part that Smith forgot that The Original Whizzinator in his carry-on bag, Cornwell said: "Well, that's what happened. I'll live or die with that statement, whether or not you believe it."

Smith told police at the time of the incident that he was delivering the kit to his cousin. Cornwell wouldn't say who gave the device to Smith.

"I don't think it's appropriate to say anything more," Cornwell said. "The NFL will look into it. We have no fear of Onterrio being suspended."

Mark Craig is at [email protected].

ELSEWHERE:

• Drug test foilers have built a cottage industry A1

I really gotta know how much the Original Whizzinator is paying him in endorsement fees. Really.

Hell, I'm ordering 2 of them right now.