[Kris P Lettus]

McAllister deserves benefit of doubt By Rick Cleveland rcleveland@clarionledger.com One question I often hear is this one: Who among all the famous athletes and coaches you've covered do you respect not only as athletes but also as human beings? The Mannings - all of them - are always high on my list. Boo Ferriss is at the top. Bailey Howell. Dale Murphy. Walter Payton. Ruthie Bolton. Clarence Weatherspoon. And, without question, Deuce McAllister. I've dealt with Deuce since his freshman season at Ole Miss. His abilities as a football player are obvious. His tenacity at coming back from so many injuries is admirable. You've read all the stories about his humanitarianism, about all the good deeds he does in this community and others. Trust me, there are so many such deeds that never come to light. But unless you know him - and deal with him on a personal basis - you cannot really know how gentlemanly and genuinely kind he is. My daddy always had the same description for people with these qualities: "He (or she) was raised right." So any discussion about the recent news about McAllister must begin with this disclaimer: Not only do I really like him, I respect him. I am not unbiased, but in this case I'll try to be. What are StarCaps? You know the news: McAllister is among several NFL players who have reportedly failed a drug test for banned substances. In Deuce's case, the banned substance - Bumetanide - is a diuretic most often used for weight loss but that can be used to mask the use of steroids. McAllister reportedly took a diuretic called StarCaps, an over-the-counter diet pill. Google it and you'll find this description: "StarCaps, the natural dietary supplement containing a rare blend of papaya and garlic that help metabolize protein, eliminate bloat and detoxify your system, is the quick, effective way to melt off 10-25 pounds. StarCaps make dieting easy! ... StarCaps are safe and effective." My general rule of thumb on products like this is simple: Anything that tells you can melt off 10 or 25 pounds quickly is bogus. Believe me, I've needed to melt away 10, 25 or more pounds for most of my life. What diuretics do is rid your body of fluids, not fat. Drink lots of water - and take a diuretic - you will flush your system quickly. And that's why it helps mask the use of steroids (and other drugs). Weighty matters McAllister, as many NFL athletes, has a weight clause in his contract that calls for him to make certain weights at certain times of the year. I am not clear whether he is fined for not making those specified weights or whether he receives bonuses if he does make the weight - or both. But I do know that Deuce always has had a tendency to get heavier than he needs to be to play running back and I know that his weight has been a major concern of Sean Payton, the Saints' coach, for the past two and a half years. You will remember that during training camp here in July and August, Payton commented positively on Deuce's weight again and again. You may remember that Drew Brees said that Deuce probably hadn't been so light since high school. Whether all that is related to his current situation I don't know. The test that he reportedly failed took place several weeks ago, possibly during camp. Players bear responsibility Because all this is unresolved, Deuce, as well as the others, is limited in what he can say. On Sunday, in London, McAllister said he has cooperated fully with the NFL's investigation and that he always has tried to abide by league rules. He also said that "there's more to this story than just a couple of lines." Insiders tell me that part of Deuce's defense will be that he asked Saints personnel several years ago if StarCaps contained any banned substances and was told that the product does not. Archie Manning said that players ultimately are responsible for what goes into their bodies. NFL rules, he said, are clear on this. "I know my sons aren't into steroids because quarterbacks don't want bulk," Manning said. "But they like supplements; heck, I like supplements. My advice to them has been to never take anything - anything! - until they've had it fully checked against the banned substances list. "My own opinion is that if Deuce was taking anything it was to lose weight, because I know he's always had to fight that weight," Manning continued. "I just hate this for him. "I'll say this much: Deuce has represented his family, his hometown, the state of Mississippi, Ole Miss and the Saints as well as any player I've ever seen," Manning said. "I'd put him up against anybody in that regard. Deuce always takes care of his business." But I also know how badly Deuce wanted to come back, how badly he wanted to prove himself again before he retired. Everyone, Deuce McAllister included, is innocent until proved guilty. And where Deuce is concerned, I believe him.

My buddy Rick Cleavland pretty much hit the nail on the head with this column from todays Clarion Ledger (my local paper)..