The Rex Ryan era in New York has not even begun and he already has to deal with a little controversy. Calvin Pace, one of his starting linebackers, has been suspended for the first four games of the regular season for using a banned substance, which has yet to be identified.

“Calvin Pace of the New York Jets has been suspended without pay for the team’s first four regular-season games of 2009 for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances,” said an NFL spokesperson. “Pace’s suspension begins on Saturday, September 5. He is eligible to return to the Jets’ active roster on Monday, October 5 following the team’s October 4 game against the New Orleans Saints. Pace is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.”

Pace, who joined the Jets last year after signing as a free agent from Arizona, said in a statement, “This is a situation that resulted from an over-the-counter dietary supplement that contained a substance that I did not know violated the League’s policy. I am responsible for what I put into my body and I should have paid closer attention to the League’s guidelines. I regret that this has happened and apologize to my teammates, the entire Jets organization as well as the fans. Hopefully, this does not distract from our ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl.”

The Jets stated that they respected the league’s decision and look forward to Pace’s return once the suspension is served.

This may open the door for Vernon Gholston to get some quality playing time. After being selected sixth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft, he was a complete bust and fell into former head coach Eric Mangini’s doghouse. The second-year outside rushing linebacker, who already was getting a fresh start with Ryan, may benefit the most out of this.

The NFL has a long list of banned substances, which is in their “Policy on Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances.” If you have an hour or two to kill, here it is:

In preparation for this unprecedented Leap for Life, Collins is seeking sponsors to help raise money for this worthy cause – with people encouraged to donate for each foot he falls. Collins, a partner at Collins, McDonald & Gann, P.C. (www.cmgesq.com) and a popular personality in the bodybuilding, health, fitness and nutrition communities, will be jumping from an altitude of 13,500 feet – and hopes to raise a total of $1 for each foot he falls, or $13,500, through his jump.
Collins will perform his Leap for Life on August 23rd at noon. The American Cancer Society has set up a page to secure sponsors for Rick’s exceptional fundraising effort – encouraging people to visit www.leapforlife.org to donate by the foot. Every tax-deductible dollar raised will go directly to the American Cancer Society’s mission to eliminate cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.

Leap for Life will take place at Skydive Long Island (www.skydivelongisland.com), which offers the highest altitude for jumping on Long Island and is the only dropzone on L.I. flying to 13,500 feet. Collins will be taking off and landing at Calverton Enterprise Airpark – a 2900 acre airport and one of the largest landing areas in the U.S.

“I knew that I wanted to find a way to raise funds in the fight against cancer, and, as I recently celebrated a big birthday, I was also looking for an opportunity to push my limits and challenge myself,” says Collins, whose upcoming book Alpha Male Challenge (www.alphamalechallenge.com) focuses on helping men “re-claim their edge” through an innovative, 10-week transformation program. “In addition, as an attorney committed to preserving the rights of informed adults to safe dietary supplements, this jump is a great way for me to get people thinking generally about individual American freedoms and what the law says people can and can’t do. If an adult can lawfully get in an airplane and jump out in mid-air, why does the government seem so quick to ban nutritional supplements that have comparatively higher safety levels? From a consistency standpoint, it doesn’t make much sense.”

Collins, a former Nassau County Assistant District Attorney, is a partner at Collins, McDonald & Gann, P.C. (www.cmgesq.com) – one of the leading criminal defense law firms on Long Island which also concentrates in sports nutrition and nutritional supplements law. As a leading legal advocate for the health and fitness community, as well as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and former co-owner of a personal training business, Collins’ Leap for Life stems not only from his desire to help those with cancer and to make a statement about exercising personal liberties, but from his lifelong dedication to fitness. He has integrated his devotion to strength and health into his hectic professional and personal schedule – and, with the upcoming release of Alpha Male Challenge (Rodale, September 2009) this fall, his goal is to motivate other men to reach their true “alpha” potential. His Leap for Life — in addition to his continuing groundbreaking work in the health and fitness community — supports his efforts to make significant contributions in the health/fitness arena … while also contributing to a cause of great importance to him.

“Rick’s Leap for Life is a truly unique fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, and we hope that people will be touched by his actions as they consider sponsoring him at whatever level they can,” says Marie Cimaglia, Regional Vice President/Nassau Region of the American Cancer Society. “We’re so grateful for his efforts in helping us with our mission, and we’re excited to witness this history-making skydive for the ACS that will mean so much for so many people.”

For more information about Rick Collins and his “Leap for Life” visit www.leapforlife.org or www.rickcollins.com, or call 516-294-0300.

The recent announcement by Lance Armstrong that he will be returning to professional cycling has once again opened the door to speculation that he cheated his way to seven Tour De France victories. Having previously sued journalists for publishing circumstantial evidence regarding his use of performance enhancing substances, Armstrong has now surrendered himself to an aggressive new screening program under the direction of renowned anti-doping scientist Don Catlin.

However, Catlin (who assisted in exposing the BALCO doping ring in 2003) admits that the tests offer no guarantees in terms of tracking an athletes drug use and, of course, will do little to remove the suspicion of Armstrong’s past use of performance enhancing substances. The tests themselves will be as accurate as technologically possible though and Catlin feels they will be very hard to beat and any athlete trying to do so will be very foolish indeed. The results of Armstrong’s blood and urine tests will be posted on line and the urine will be frozen and stored for future re-testing.

The fact that Armstrong will be paying Catlin for the work out of his own pocket has of course given rise to speculation that he may have an influence on the results. However, he has dismissed such claims by saying, “There’s not enough money anywhere to potentially buy out Don Catlin.” Referring anyone who questions the integrity of the tests to Catlin himself for reassurance.

In conclusion Armstrong has stated that although he has promised to compete in January’s Tour Down Under in Australia and the Leadville 100 (an endurance event in Colorado) his goal is not to win an eighth Tour De France. His main focus for 2009 will be to raise cancer awareness, using his celebrity and return to pro sports to draw attention to this illness from which he once suffered. The fact that he claims an eighth Tour win is not on the agenda also serves as a convenient escape route if he turns in a lack luster performance (oops, did I say that?).

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com or you can also check her out at New York’s favorite metaphysical store www.stickstoneandbone.com.