Las Vegas Raiders

Let Raiders fullback Marcel Reece explain his four-game suspension

Published Dec. 29, 2015 11:49 p.m. ET

foxsports

Marcel Reece blames a plant root extract for the four-game suspension he'll start serving on Sunday.

The Raiders fullback claimed the extract, "Umcka," is completely legal by NFL rules. But once consumed, it converts to a chemical in the body that's banned by the league.

Reece, in a letter to ProFootballTalk:

“During my eight-year career in the National Football League I have taken extreme pride in representing myself, my family, my team and our fan base to the highest of standards. I have never, nor would I ever, compromise my integrity as a man or player in the NFL — and I would never jeopardize my leadership in the game that I love so much.

“I have NEVER, and would NEVER, ingest any banned substance that would result in a failed drug test. What I did consume was a natural plant root extract by the name of ‘Umcka,’ which is a completely safe substance that is clearly legal by NFL policy, in terms of being acceptable to consume. What I didn’t know is that this plant root, once ingested in the human body, converts to the substance ‘metylhexanamine,’ which is a banned substance by NFL standards.

“Every single teammate, coach and friend of mine can tell you that I take extreme pride in taking care of my body, and I have worked incredibly hard every year maintain myself to performing at the highest level. I don’t believe in shortcuts; I have worked extremely hard my entire life and I would never consider any substance to gain a competitive advantage.

“As the NFL stated in their final judgment of our appeal: ‘The NFL does not contend that Mr. Reece intentionally violated the policy, and it is clear the Mr. Reece did not intend to do so. . . .’

“Let me be clear here — the Arbitrator, the NFL and I all agree, and have concluded, that I have never ingested ANY banned substance whatsoever, for any reason, especially not to enhance my performance. Unfortunately, due to the NFL’s strict liability policy and a completely flawed system, there is nothing I can do to change this unfair outcome.

“I have fought this decision as hard and (as) aggressively as the system allows to chemically prove how this happened, and to defend my innocence. I assure you all that this natural, chemical reaction was far beyond my knowledge prior to appeal research. To those who know and love me, thank you for your support. Thank you to all Raider fans, my fans, Oakland Raiders ownership and management, my coaches, my teammates, and my wife and family for their unflinching love and support.”

That's a tough break for Reece, if true. But it falls on the player to know what he's ingesting, even if it becomes something else completely.