Former LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger had a diluted urine sample at the scouting combine, which generally is treated as a positive test.
Pro Football Talk reported news of Mettenberger’s diluted sample. Diluted samples are usually considered to be positive because of the belief that players consume the extra liquid to flush illegal substances out of their system.
Mettenberger tore his ACL against Arkansas in November. His physical therapist wrote a letter to the NFL’s doctor to explain that the quarterback was instructed to drink copious amounts of water to combat cramping. The hope likely was that this letter would keep Mettenberger out of the league’s substance-abuse program.
Here’s what was said in the letter according to National Football Post:
Dear Dr. Lawrence Brown,
Zachary Mettenberger was under our care from 2/11/14 to 3/10/14 for the rehabilitation of his left knee. During this time, he reported to us that he was experiencing frequent muscle cramping during the day as well as at night while trying to sleep. Because of this, he was advised to drink as much as 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per day, to increase his consumption of foods high in potassium, and to increase his sodium intake. This was recommended as he was performing rehab and training 6 days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., causing dehydration. This high consumption of fluid was necessary to counteract the dehydration from intensive training sessions and to promote a healthy fluid balance while Zachary was healing from his recent ACL reconstruction.
We also recommend that Zachary continues this process throughout his rigorous rehab program to avoid future cramping and possible dehydration.
If you should have any specific questions regarding this matter please feel free to contact me. Thank you.
Best regards, Jason Eliowitz.
Mettenberger’s team has not heard back yet from Brown. (yes, by the way, that means there are two Larry Browns in this article).
According to FOX’s Jay Glazer, Anthony Johnson as well as Florida State’s Timmy Jernigan, Telvin Smith and Christian Jones.
