The Houston Texans, long known for their wise draft picks, chose USC linebacker Brian Cushing in the first round of the NFL draft. As long as Houston has been known as rather vaudevillian organization, Cushing has been rumored to juice. Today, the Houston Chronicle defends Cushing as a victim of nasty internet rumor-mongering.
Frank Bush didn’t want to go there, tried his best not to, but it was too late.
In discussing why Texans first-round draft pick Brian Cushing was the guy the Texans’ defensive coordinator wanted the team to take in the draft, Bush explained that it was partly because Cushing reminded him of someone.
“His demeanor, his intensity and the way he played the game reminded me of a player I coached at Denver,” Bush said.
The player? Bill Romanowski.
Oops.
The last thing Bush wanted to do on such a special day for the linebacker from USC was initiate a discussion of steroid use, but when you bring up Romanowski. …
Actually, with Cushing you can’t really initiate steroid talk, only join in.
Fantastic Freudian slip. However, the Chron debunks the myth of Cushing and 'roids. How? Taking Cushing's word (that's never gone wrong before has it?; note the photo on the left was taken when Cushing was rehabbing from shoulder surgery thus it isn't quite 'fair' to be used as a comparison)
But the days when those who succeed simply faced accusations of working hard are long behind us.
Instead, we get “He’s fast. He’s strong. His body is cut. So he must be cheating.”
“I told every team that I never did (steroids),” Cushing said. “I’ve passed every drug test out there.
“I’m not that kind of guy.”
No athlete who juiced ever denied it, right? Even one who proclaimed himself as part of USC's "White Nation" a couple years ago.
Cushing, who measured in at 6-3, 246 pounds at the NFL Combine, is an admitted health nut who doesn’t do junk food. He has his meals delivered to him by a nutritionist. He has worked with a trainer since high school. And of course he hits the weight room with passion.
To many, that adds up to a steroids user.
After he went from being a 165-pound freshman to a 225-pound terror and the top linebacker in the country at Bergen Catholic (Park Ridge, N.J.), students at rival high schools taunted Cushing with steroids-based chants.
If the report of a high school kid increasing his weight from 165 to 225 form age 14 to 18 doesn't give one pause for thought, nothing does. True, significant growth occurs in adolescents. And true, Cushing sports a tall 6-3 frame. But gaining from 165 to 225lbs, or 60 pounds IN HIGH SCHOOL in 4 years is incredible. All muscle too we bet.
Are there any McDonalds in New Jersey?
Linebacker U (Southern Cal) started with the 2005 class. All incredible stories. All will be alumni of the same school that produced Mark McGwire. Interesting. Whats in the water down there? Test it.
I'm a senior in high school going to play college football, and cushing going from 165-225 naturally is not surprising to me at all. I've gone from 150 to 215 in high school and my other friends who are playing college football have gone from 140 to 250 (seriously and its not too much fat just hard work and puberty) 145 to 220, and 180 to 240. So I think 60 pounds in high school in 4 years is not too incredible for someone who is willing to put in a lot of hard work in the weight room, definitely achievable without steroids. However, do I think that Clay Matthews took steroids? absolutely. thanks
Posted by: Tommy | 04/26/2009 at 13:47
Actually, their picks have been rather good, at least under the current regime.
Obviously the prevalence of roids in sports at all levels will ensnare those who work their butts off, along with the true offenders.
Sooner or later we'll find out which camp to which Cushing belongs.
Posted by: matt | 04/27/2009 at 09:50
I think a 165-225 gain in 4 years of HS is not too crazy. I personally went from 135-185 or so gaining some fair amount of body fat, but also a lot of lean mass. I was not an athlete and did not train as one. I just "grew". Btw, I probably went from 5'9" to 5'11" over that span. I have a reasonably large build.
To take my situation, and simply add a good deal of weightlifting and smart eating targeted at gaining weight, I could have gained 60 lbs while ending up a lean, muscular athlete.
Posted by: Justin | 04/29/2009 at 10:59
Although, I will add that the photo of Cushing in college is rather damning.
Posted by: Justin | 04/29/2009 at 11:01
Freshman year in college (18)I went from 215 to 242 in 9 months. Why? No juice or anything, just the fact I went from my parents house eating a bunch of crap and working out in a lame HS facility to eating high calorie dorm food and lifting with trainers and other football players 4 hours a day in a sweet facility.
What I've also heard/read about Cushing is at the time he weighed 165, he was only 5'10. You grow 5 inches during 4 years, you're gonna pack on some weight regardless. Add his father realizing his son's potential hooked him up with nutritionists and personal trainers - doesn't surprise me at all.
The photo comparison - big deal - if you're injured, you're not lifting, you're going to get soft, that's the way it goes. The guy isn't built like a sprinter with red, lean muscle mass - it takes a lot of work to get and stay big.
I hope he has a great career.
Posted by: John | 04/30/2009 at 16:46
Hello Brain Cushing, congradulations on your draft. My name is Stan, I have a son who is 14, and plays baseball. I have an interesting story to tell you. I am sure you are flooded with phone call and emails. If you ever have the time to write me, I would gladly share our story, Thank you for your time, good luck and God Bless
Posted by: Stanley Goscicki | 05/08/2009 at 21:37
Cushing worked out with Defranco's Gym before going to USC
This should be enough to tell you that he hasn't taken steroids.
Posted by: Dan | 11/29/2009 at 19:26
Don Bosco suspended him for steriod use.......USC suspened him for steriod use.....Stop fooling yourself people.
True he never failed a drug "TEST" but ask people at both schools if he screened postive for steriods.
Posted by: Joey Jersey | 01/05/2010 at 10:56
Don Bosco? Are you joking lol I guess that comment you wrote tells us how credible you are Joey Jersey..
Posted by: BC | 01/14/2010 at 16:31
By the way he went to Bergen Catholic, and he was never suspended for steroid use, and I would know this because I went there when he did..and he didnt get suspended from USC either..and from freshman year to senior year he only put on 15 lbs a year, which is not really hard to do especially with the way he trains, and eats... plus no way he can be as agile, quick, versatile as he is if he gained more than that as a result of steroids
Posted by: BC | 01/14/2010 at 16:36
Cush is an animal who lives in the gym..you lift right ..eat right and get rest..you will pack on muscle....15 to 20 pounds of muscle a year can be achieved without using the sauce... stop hatin cas you cant be a beast and your a pussy
Posted by: will | 04/20/2010 at 13:36
NOPE
He is a user
CHEAT
Posted by: jalsdjm | 05/07/2010 at 19:10
Apparently, he IS a cheat. What a surprise.
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Posted by: Teri R. Moore's Live | 04/13/2011 at 20:56
How stupid are people to think he's clean and doesnt do drugs?? He is an OBVIOUS case. Do you Cushing apologists ( family members?) believe Bonds? Clemens? Palmeiro? Sosa? Marion Jones???
.
GET REAL---- CUSHING IS A FUCKING CHEATER.
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