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We’ve been receiving e-mails for a couple of weeks now regarding rumors that Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman is in line for another suspension, either for violation of the substance abuse policy or the policy against steroids and related substances.
Merriman strongly denies the rumors.
“I would know, if anybody,” Merriman told Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. “If I failed a drug test or steroids test I’d be the first one to know about it. And after it being leaked the first time, I don’t think someone would be holding back the results this time.”
We didn’t post the rumor because that’s precisely the kind of rumor that can get someone sued.
So, anyway, the rumors aren’t true. Merriman has not failed (another) drug test, and he’s not in line for (another) suspension.
April 25th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
We’ll see. I don’t trust anyone that looks like Sinbad.
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Rating: 3.65 / 5 with 6 rating(s)
April 25th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
that, zwilson, is freakin’ hilarious. I wonder if Merriman wears parachute pants in the off-season…..
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April 25th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Funny that he should say “If I failed a drug test or steroids test I’d be the first one to know about it.” rather than say “There’s no way that I could have failed a test because I don’t do those anymore” or something along those lines.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
April 25th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Well, I suppose that if it is possible to ingest banned substances without knowing about it, then logic would suggest that perhaps someone could in fact be suspended and not know about that either, whosoever that person might be not suggesting for one moment that it may in fact be knowingly or otherwise Shawn Merriman of an NFL team that may or may not be the San Diego Chargers.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
April 25th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
“I don’t trust anyone that looks like Sinbad.”
Pure class.
That’s a classic mistake. By denying the rumours, Merriman has just legitimised the reporting of them by journalists with an actual readership.
Still, I’m sure he hasn’t failed a drug test. They’re too easy to beat.
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April 25th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
YET!
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April 25th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
When I read his interview in the UT this AM, as a Bolts fan, boy was I relieved! Kevin even mentioned that SM looked “bigger and leaner than ever”. Woo-whoo!
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
April 25th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
“We didn’t post the rumor because that’s precisely the kind of rumor that can get someone sued.”
Public figure/Matter of public concern = actual malice + real damages. I doubt he could prove that, PFT, but you’re right that he wouldn’t need to prove anything just to file a lawsuit.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
April 25th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
This is a prime example of how a lawyer can propagate a ‘rumor’, all the while protecting himself from being sued, by simply stating it’s not true. Well crafted, Florio!!!
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April 25th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
SayitaintsoJoe, “rumours?” “Legitimised?” Do we have a Brit in the house?
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April 25th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Hey, I’m a brit who reads the rumour mill.
You get all shapes sizes, creeds and colours on here.
That’s ‘colours’.
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April 25th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I’m sure if they tested Merriman 10 times he’d pass 9 of them (with the exception of the last 3)
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
April 25th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Chargers suck.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
April 26th, 2008 at 12:10 am
A rumor that Shawne Merriman used steroids? That would be completely perpsterous, if it wasn’t based in fact, or history. Or fact and history.
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