Texans owner: Team knew about Cushing 'issue'
NEW YORK -- Houston Texans owner Robert McNair said he knew during the 2009 season that linebacker Brian Cushing had "an issue" with the NFL, but had no details from the league of what it concerned.
The Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award winner was suspended by the league last week for violating its steroid policy. Although Cushing admitted taking a non-steroid banned substance, it is still considered performance-enhancing by the league.
McNair also criticized the suspension and appeal process that he said doesn't provide enough information to the team.
"The club is left completely out of the loop on that," McNair said. "We're not even notified, it's the league and the player and the players' union. All we know is what's been announced at this point in time."
Cushing is suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2010 season, even though he said he took the substance in September, the first month of the 2009 schedule. He appealed the ban and a final decision was handed down last week.
"Brian had mentioned that he had an issue there, but we don't know what any of the details are, we don't know what doctors he may have consulted with, we don't know what evidence that the league might have had ... which is a very bad position to be in because we're the guy that's got the investment in the player. The league doesn't have any money invested in the player, the union doesn't have any money invested in the player, and yet they get the information and we don't.
"So it's a sensitive area because it is sort of like medical information and there's confidentiality and this sort of thing. But I think it's something that needs to be addressed in the next collective bargaining agreement."
The NFL did not immediately comment on McNair's statement.
Cushing will not be eligible for next season's Pro Bowl -- he made the AFC team last January, but did not play, citing several injuries -- or any NFL-sponsored awards such as Super Bowl MVP. He can participate in all training camp and preseason activities, then must leave the Texans for the first four weeks of the season. Cushing can return on Oct. 4.
A first-round draft pick from Southern California, he was a runaway winner of the defensive rookie award. He earned 39 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league.
Cushing had 133 tackles for the Texans, who went 9-7, their first winning record. He had five sacks, four interceptions and two forced fumbles, numbers that normally belong to a seasoned veteran.
Cushing's case differs from San Diego's Shawne Merriman, who won the 2005 defensive rookie award, then tested positive in the 2006 offseason for steroids contained in a supplement.