As he has previously on his blog, Jim Ross yesterday posted about the issue of steroids, wrestling and Congress. Even though we usually only publish excerpts, to ensure accuracy, here is the full post:
My former colleague at WCW and an individual I personally like, Chris Cruise, according to some wrestling websites, has “called me out,†or at least that is the term some sites have used, about my comments regarding the United States Congress investigating steroid, HGH, etc abuse in professional wrestling.
In a recent blog, I made a comment that I personally thought that Congress had better things to do than focus on this matter but did not infer that Congress should cease their investigation. I was thinking of other issues such as our national security, the war we are currently fighting, the economy, health care, education and perhaps even balancing the budget. Nonetheless, Chris makes a valid point about the endless subcommittees that are available to work on matters such as steroids in pro wrestling, all the while the other work that I just outlined still gets addressed. Point well made and well taken.
I have also said in our blogs that I am for ZERO TOLERANCE, as it relates to the illegal use of anabolic steroids and HGH by wrestlers. I have said that many times, as many of you know, who read this space regularly. Even in my latest blog, I mentioned that athletes should simply “not use the damn stuff†but in most reports over the past 24 hours that point was conveniently omitted. I even said that I hoped that Congress would be able to put its arms around this matter and take the necessary steps to solve the problem, but that was even taken to task for what ever reason.
For Chris or any one to infer that I might not care about the health and welfare of today’s wrestlers and the young people who idolize these individuals is simply not an accurate assessment of my feelings and, quite frankly, is somewhat offensive.
I am not a “body guy†and never have been when it comes to my personal taste in wrestlers. My all time favorite wrestlers were not of the “body builder†mold. I would never encourage any athlete in any field of endeavor to use steroids or any other dangerous drug to improve their “look†or enhance their performance. These substances have no place in wrestling or any form of athletic endeavor.
How clear is that?
This response is not meant to “call anyone out†nor am I angry to have my opinion questioned because Lord knows I have been wrong many times in my life, but I have always had the courage to admit such. This response is to clarify my personal opinion of the situation called into question. I cannot and should not be held accountable for any other entity but my own, personal view on this subject. If Congress can help solve the problem, then I salute Congress for getting something done. This step would go miles in changing many American’s opinion of our lawmakers in Washington D.C. not to mention making the business that I love and have devoted 35 years of my life to in becoming a better place for all involved who are in it today and for the generations to come.
Thanks and have a great day.
For other commentary from JR — as well as info on his BBQ restaurant and online store — click over to JRsBarBQ.com.
In other news, PWTorch.com has uncovered this Web site from the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. It states the following:
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform continues to investigate allegations of steroid use in professional sports. If you have information that can further this investigation, please use this tipline to communicate with investigators.
The Oversight Committee has the highest respect for confidentiality. As such, we respect your need to remain confidential and will use your contact information only to follow up with you regarding your submission. If you do not wish to provide contact information, you may leave the contact fields blank.
In similar news, there’s a great story on Road Warrior Animal’s son James Laurinaitis – captain and linebacker on the Ohio State football team – at Cleveland.com where Animal and family talk openly about steroids in wrestling. Basically Joe (Animal) says he stopped using in 1991 when WWE started testing for them, Julie says she quit wrestling when she saw women injecting in front of her, and James has written college papers on steroids and lives a very healthy lifestyle.
