Dwyer’s drug test a result of approved prescription medication for ADD
Former Georgia Tech running back Jonathan Dwyer has been cleared by the NFL to take a prescription medication that will result in positive drug tests, his agent, Adisa Bakari, said on Sunday.
In e-mails and text messages, Dwyer said he takes the medication to treat Attention Deficit Disorder and has done so since he was a kid.
“It’s a non-issue,” said Bakari, who also declined to say what the condition is because of legal reasons. Georgia Tech knew about the condition, as now does the NFL.
Dwyer was one of several players who were reported by foxsports.com as failing drug tests at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February. The website said Dwyer tested positive for amphetamines, but did note that the failure was a result of the prescription medication.
Dwyer, a Marietta native, rushed for 1,395 yards in each of the last two seasons. He is projected to be a late-first round or second-round pick in the NFL draft, which begins on Thursday.
Editor’s note: Here’s is the original report from FoxSports.com
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161 comments Add your comment
gt90
April 18th, 2010
8:34 pm
Fox Sports and the AJC should be ashamed of the headlines they are running with this non-story.
Reality
April 18th, 2010
8:36 pm
I totally agree that this is a NON story. Is this really a day of that slow of news to report on a non issue???
LizellaJacket
April 18th, 2010
8:38 pm
Wow. What a load of crap AJC. Flunky UGA journalism majors have nothing better to do? I wouldn’t let my dog drop one on your paper. Trash.
ozzfest
April 18th, 2010
8:39 pm
WHERE THE HELL ARE THE JOURNALISTIC STANDARDS? I MEAN, WHAT THE HELL….TOTAL SLANDER!….AND I AM A BULLDOG.
Coach
April 18th, 2010
8:39 pm
Totally misleading headline. I agree; shame, shame, shame!
Pull My Finger
April 18th, 2010
8:40 pm
Crap, I’m a Dawg fan and even I know that Dwyer is a quality person and wouldn’t be taking illegal substances……what a cowardly piece of crap story!
UGA Fan
April 18th, 2010
8:40 pm
The AJC is becoming a joke, similar to the National Inquirer. How can they run a headline like that for prescription drugs? I’m a UGA fan but this headline is disrespectful.
Lee
April 18th, 2010
8:42 pm
AJC or National Enquirer??? When I see an AJC headline that says “Report: Dwyer failed Combine drug test” it makes me wonder if this paper has any ethics at all. How much more misleading can you be? Has that what AJC now has to do to get people to click a story? Pathetic and irresponsible journalism.
Matt the Brave
April 18th, 2010
8:42 pm
You know, I’m a diehard Dawg and love it when there’s bad news for Tech, but this is a load of crap for a good kid. He’s obviously been smeared by USA Today and the HOMETOWN AJC. I hope he ends up doing really well in the NFL.
JB
April 18th, 2010
8:43 pm
wow AJC. thanks for subtlety telling everyone that jonathan dwyer has attention deficit disorders.
GT GRAD
April 18th, 2010
8:43 pm
Obvious attempt to hurt a former GT player immediately prior to the NFL draft…………………….Dwyer is a solid person and a great football player.
The media people involved in the stories with the “implication” that he falied a drug test (even if the truth is explained in the story) should be ashamed and punished by thier employers!
Reality Bites
April 18th, 2010
8:44 pm
Would someone please start a good fair paper that covers Tech and UGA equally, so this RAG will go bankrupt?
sex, drugs, and lies
April 18th, 2010
8:45 pm
Oh sorry, my post has nothing to do with any of the items in my name/title. I’m just a journalism major and I’m practicing to get your attention. Did it work?
UGA Fan
April 18th, 2010
8:45 pm
Wow! 7 negative comments later, Doug Roberson changes the headline. The AJC should not have put the first headline up.
Reality Bites
April 18th, 2010
8:46 pm
Of ourse, the price for reading it online cant be beat……:-)
sex, drugs, and lies
April 18th, 2010
8:46 pm
Oh yeah, sorry. I forgot to discredit anyone personally or professionally. Still have a long ways to go before I can get a job with a big time publication.
AJClowns
April 18th, 2010
8:46 pm
Disgraceful AJC.
Joe Schmoe
April 18th, 2010
8:48 pm
I just got onto the AJC and noticed the headline stating “Agent:Dwyer’s failed drug test a nonissue.” I thought what the heck, and then read the rest of the story, and feel deeply mislead. What a bunch of crock. Come on guys, where is your standards?
sex, drugs, and lies
April 18th, 2010
8:48 pm
I hope this is a HIPA violation, doesn’t that earn me an award?
elviskl
April 18th, 2010
8:49 pm
i applaud the uga fans here for integrity……….i as a tech fan will try to become more tolarant and nice
Tone LaRone
April 18th, 2010
8:49 pm
And who really wanted to know this. Not a sound decision by the editor-in-chief.
UGA Fan
April 18th, 2010
8:51 pm
What is this world coming to? UGA and GT fans are agreeing on something! Good job uniting the masses AJC. You are still only good for the bottom of my bird cage!
why are you surprised!
April 18th, 2010
8:51 pm
Several weeks ago a story ran in the AJC that three UGA football players were involved in “the taxi incident”. Tech fans were all over this, posting condescending remarks about UGA. At least UGA posters are showing class in their remarks.
POAD
April 18th, 2010
8:52 pm
Had to match the UGA headline with Mett getting kickoff the UGA team I guess?
Peterock
April 18th, 2010
8:52 pm
It’s just pathetic that the AJC would run an article heading that was this misleading. In no way do I hold football players up as role models, but to run an article heading this way is a sorry excuse for journalism. ESPN, AJC and the rest of these “sports outlets” are turning into glorified gossip columns for guys. Dwyer has represented his family and the Institute with class and doesn’t deserve to have his name treated this way.
chuck e
April 18th, 2010
8:54 pm
With crap like this, is it any wonder that this rag “paper” is dying a slow death and going out of business, I mean really, Roberson should be fired!!
activism isn't dead
April 18th, 2010
8:55 pm
How many posts are the magic number too get the AJC to take down this “non-story?” If we post too many, they’ll see it as popular and profitable. Perhaps shame will work.
elviskl
April 18th, 2010
8:55 pm
i am so moved by the class of the uga fans posts on here that i want to call a truce…………i swear to god i am moved to tears
FSJR
April 18th, 2010
8:55 pm
I concur; the headline is completely misleading and unprofessional. Unprofessional.
elviskl
April 18th, 2010
8:57 pm
for the first time in 35 yrs i am truly proud of these ga fans……….
elviskl
April 18th, 2010
8:58 pm
we must band together to abolish the hatred…..
Larry
April 18th, 2010
8:58 pm
Doug Roberson,
Got the courage to respond to the ass whipping you’re richly deserving on here? Are you hiding from your own blog? Hilarious!
I have met Mr. Dwyer as a 18 year old and not a more polite and level headed young man can easily be found. He, and his parents, are winners!
William R. Hurst
April 18th, 2010
8:59 pm
I don’t care anything about college football, but I gotta say this is piss-poor journalism, AJC. Newspapers are going away because of crap like this story. I guess the AJC staff will be cutting my grass soon. “Journalists” my butt.
elviskl
April 18th, 2010
8:59 pm
i ask for forgiveness
elviskl
April 18th, 2010
8:59 pm
i can no longer hate the university of ga
Doug Roberson
April 18th, 2010
9:04 pm
The headline has been changed to more accurately reflect the story. The previous headline didn’t provide the proper context so it was changed.
@ @ Activism
April 18th, 2010
9:04 pm
Please, let’s play nice and be civil. We know the AJC needs a good example set for them as they can’t do so on their own. Let’s not give them an excuse to be so darn ugly.
Joe Schmoe
April 18th, 2010
9:04 pm
I have a feeling that this blog is gonna get shut down soon.
hershal walker
April 18th, 2010
9:06 pm
to have these column removed calls fo fi fi -fo fi fo fi
Worm
April 18th, 2010
9:06 pm
Dawg 44 has it right!
russ
April 18th, 2010
9:06 pm
prescribed by a doctor. This paper is a rag. Reporting a non-story.
@Larry
April 18th, 2010
9:07 pm
The butt-whipping Mr. Roberson is getting here is nothing compared to the one he gets at the staff meeting tomorrow right before he gets fired.
Da'reek
April 18th, 2010
9:09 pm
I’m a Georgia fan but I was stunned to read the title on the front page of the AJC. Dwyer is one of those guys I respect a lot as a player and a person, it really bothered me to read that. Then I actually read the story and it’s all garbage. This story is honestly a disgrace.
Worm
April 18th, 2010
9:09 pm
We’ll see the REAL story during the NFL Draft!..I see his stock sliippiiinnng!
the truth
April 18th, 2010
9:10 pm
The AJC USED TO BE a good source for news. That was many years ago. LA Times, New York Times, AJC…3 peas in a pod.
Dawgs Run This State
April 18th, 2010
9:11 pm
As a UGA grad who was pretty upset the AJC helped make something of nothing with the “Three Unknown UGA Football Players in a Cab” story, I feel sorry for Dwyer and Tech fans.
elviskl
April 18th, 2010
9:11 pm
mr robertson, didnt you write the story? didnt you provide the original headline? be a man and answer this if you got the guts……..
I Hate UGAY
April 18th, 2010
9:12 pm
The press in the 1930’s and early 1940’s refrained from photographing FDR in a wheelchair, I can only imagine who the press of today would do or print. The press deserves our scorn.
elviskl
April 18th, 2010
9:13 pm
worm……..you classless SOB………YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO TECH AND GA FANS ALIKE
Doug Roberson
April 18th, 2010
9:14 pm
So that you’ll have the proper context for your comments, I was alerted by an ajc.com producer that foxsports.com first reported Dwyer’s test results. To clarify their report and make sure that the proper context was reported for the story, I called his agent who confirmed the clause in the foxsports report.
I agree that the failed drug test is pretty much a non-issue, as Dwyer’s agent said. Of course, if it was out there that Dwyer failed a drug test and no one tried to find out why or how, then things would be different. That’s why I called Mr. Bakari.
So, there it is.
Nancy
April 18th, 2010
9:14 pm
as a serious dawg hater and GEORGIA TECH lover and a HUGE fan of Jon Dwyer I have a whole new RESPECT for you dawg fans now…..I was expecting all kinds of nastiness from you and I personally REALLY appreciate all the nice things you are saying AND the backing of Jon and his family. He is a STAND UP guy and so is his family and whether its true or not I DOUBT that Jon would do anything to ruin his career cause if that was the case he woulda stayed in school SO, I appreciate you dawg fans…..THANKS
Doug Roberson
April 18th, 2010
9:15 pm
Answering elviski, I wrote the story.
hash slinger
April 18th, 2010
9:16 pm
Disgraceful headline that is factually incorrect. He did not “fail” the drug test. In fact you can’t fail a drug test. You test either negative or positive. Those are the possible outcomes. Pretty interesting to see Jackets & Dawgs agree on this one. Shameful….
BigTimeTechFan
April 18th, 2010
9:16 pm
Wow – I read after title change. but my hats off to UGA fans. Thanks for standing up for JD. I’m for real that was very repectfull from you guys.
elviskl
April 18th, 2010
9:16 pm
MR. ROBERSON……sir why didnt you get the facts first before reporting this headline to begin with….
TreadStone
April 18th, 2010
9:17 pm
Ty Tagami posted the original story from Fox Sports. He deserves some of the heat too:
ttagami@ajc.com
AJC = ABSOLUTE JUNK CORRESPONDENCE
Doug Roberson
April 18th, 2010
9:18 pm
Without going into the details of how things work, I don’t always write the headlines that appear on my story.
elviskl
April 18th, 2010
9:20 pm
mr roberson sir……did you or did you not write the headline for this story?
Doug Roberson
April 18th, 2010
9:21 pm
I wrote the one you see now, not the original.
elviskl
April 18th, 2010
9:23 pm
mr roberson sir….who in the HELL wrote the original? provide the name and you are off the hook…….if you dont your going to be fired
Doug Roberson
April 18th, 2010
9:24 pm
I won’t do that.
the truth
April 18th, 2010
9:24 pm
Jesse Outlar must be spinning in his grave. The AJC’s motto is now: Shoot and then aim.
CJDawg
April 18th, 2010
9:26 pm
I am a rabid Bulldog fan. Tech fans are all over us about Mettenberger…BUT, I admire Dwyer’s style of play and I agree that this should NEVER have been reported. A SHAME if it costs him any draft position. Great Rb and will play in the NFL for some time.
techster
April 18th, 2010
9:26 pm
get busted for drugs? no problem, just have your agent blame it on prescription meds! That’s what Reuben Houston should have done!
dawgfan
April 18th, 2010
9:26 pm
Quit your whining Techies. If it had been a Georgia player in Dwyer’s shoes the AJC would have plastered “UGA Football Player Fails Drug Test” all over their website in big bold letters back in February. Whoever is writing these headlines knows how to get the mouses clicking. That’s for sure.
elviskl
April 18th, 2010
9:27 pm
mr roberson sir, then i have to assume you are a lair and a coverup………shame on you for trying to place blame on someone else…….what a scam
Worm
April 18th, 2010
9:28 pm
elviski, what the hell?..The NFL always know these things..If his stock drops then there’s a problem..Otherwise you can take your problem up with me!
TreadStone
April 18th, 2010
9:28 pm
@ elviskl:
Ty Tagami wrote the original story. I read the story when it first was published on the AJC.
ttagami@ajc.com
elviskl
April 18th, 2010
9:28 pm
dawgfan……another classless SOB………..
elviskl
April 18th, 2010
9:30 pm
WORM, WE JUST TOLD YOU THE TRUTH……….WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE WILL SEE THE REAL STORY ON DRAFT DAY? ILL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO RESPOND……..
reggie ball
April 18th, 2010
9:30 pm
you’re 100% right dawgfan. Here’s the headline for a UGA player:
UGA PLAYER FAILS DRUG TEST THE WEEK BEFORE THE DRAFT
Larry
April 18th, 2010
9:31 pm
And the AJC wonders why I wont renew my subscription….
you guys suck.
FantasTECH
April 18th, 2010
9:31 pm
AJC you should be ashamed of yourselves. This kid is taking an approved medication for a condition that he has and all you can do is slam him in your tinyl little podunk newspaper. Even the NATIONAL INQUIRER would be ashamed of themselves for writing crap like this. I will NEVER OWN a subscription to the AJC. This is simply filth journalism. I hope you can’t sleep tonight!!!!
Doug Roberson
April 18th, 2010
9:34 pm
FantasTECH: I hope you’ll change your mind about purchasing a subscription to the AJC. I would like to point out that in the lead of the blog about Dwyer the reason for the negative drug test.
Biscuits
April 18th, 2010
9:35 pm
I’m ok with the story being reported. But that headline was disgraceful. You would think a journalist for a major paper would run something so inflammatory and serious by at least a coworker first. This will be gone by tomorrow morning which is unfortunate because staff at AJC needs to discuss what is acceptable to grab attention, and what is pure garbage.
Joe Schmoe
April 18th, 2010
9:37 pm
Link to the original story I assume?
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Sources-say-Georgia-Tech-and-USC-players-failed-NFL-Combine-drug-test-041810#tb
hash slinger
April 18th, 2010
9:38 pm
Agree with Biscuits 100%. The story isn’t the problem, the headline is.
b6542
April 18th, 2010
9:41 pm
This is something I would expect out of Cynthia Tucker……….BAD DOUG BAD !!
Worm
April 18th, 2010
9:43 pm
Elviski, Son, Take a breath..The draft stuns lots of folks and the reasons are sometimes unreported..You have a problem with me and we can have a “Cage Match” with the proceeds going to Scottish Rite.
POAD
April 18th, 2010
9:50 pm
What happened UGA kicked one of the QBs off the team so they had print something bad sounding about Tech too? I don’t know what Mett did but I hope he gat a chance at another school. Dwyer will go in the Draft where is should. He will not slip because of a nonissue.
Not Disappointed
April 18th, 2010
9:53 pm
Glad it was cleared up Doug!
Ramblin Wreck!
ugafan
April 18th, 2010
9:57 pm
I’am a uga fan and I’m dissapointed with the tease you guys put out on the main ajc page this is misleading and if I was Johnathan Dwyer I would be upset with you guys not right at all!!
Tone LaRone
April 18th, 2010
9:57 pm
Roberson, thank you for clarifying. I t may be alittle too late, but the effort is good. To all you UGA fans, thank you. We all admit that we do not want any misleading stories that can affect the future all all of those players who deserve better.
60 year gt fan
April 18th, 2010
9:59 pm
same old crap from ajc. if a uga or gt player jaywalks its in the ajc for days. both schools have great players. ajc check the police records of other schools and see what you find
Orangebee
April 18th, 2010
10:00 pm
That headline should make anyone who classifies themselves as a journalist ashamed.
Michael
April 18th, 2010
10:04 pm
Uh, 30-24?
60 year gt fan
April 18th, 2010
10:09 pm
i hate it to read all the crap about uga players and gt players in ajc . these are kids and they will over step sometimes .but we are lucky to have the coaches we have at gt and uga to bring these kids up. so stay out ajc
elviskl
April 18th, 2010
10:12 pm
MICHAEL…….45-42, YOUR POINT?
Tech Sa
April 18th, 2010
10:14 pm
Georgia fans spreading false rumors, again.
Buddy
April 18th, 2010
10:15 pm
This just in from the AJC!!! Our drinking water tests positive for large amounts of potentially deadly chemicals!!! Hydrogen and oxygen!!! I’m a UGA fan, and I agree that the title is absurd.
Bama Bill
April 18th, 2010
10:18 pm
Jonathan is one fine young adult and I think the facts have pretty much surfaced – the pros and their team of talent evaluaters have a handle on this and they miss next to nothing. Best of luck next week Jonathan !
Melinda
April 18th, 2010
10:22 pm
Kudos for changing the headline Doug. I know Coach Johnson is really, really big on honesty as any reporter who covers him knows. As long as he and his team are treated fairly, I think he is pretty open about answering questions. Nice to see that you have returned the favor by changing the headline to reflect the story instead of worrying about getting views for a story. Thank you!
CJDawg
April 18th, 2010
10:28 pm
I see Jay Glazer and I flinch. He would sell out his own mother for a scoop. NO problems here DOUG ROBERSON. I appreciate the candidness. A lot.
Tokyo jacket
April 18th, 2010
10:29 pm
To all the classy UGA fans, thanks for the support of a good kid and the recognition of a poor title.
Doug, we accept that you don’t write all your titles, but, seriously. Really? C’mon dude…this one’s just no bueno!
stw
April 18th, 2010
10:32 pm
This appears to be from the Cynthia Tucker School of Journalism…
CJDawg
April 18th, 2010
10:32 pm
I want to wish Dwyer the BEST in the future. Kinda like to see the Falcons get him so I can pull for him out loud!! Haha….
Doug Roberson
April 18th, 2010
10:32 pm
Tokyo: Why I tried to put a more accurate headline on the blog, and the good people at ajc.com changed the one on the main and sports pages.
Lulu
April 18th, 2010
10:34 pm
A bit of the outrage here belongs to the bitc…. excuse me, complainers. Do you expect the media to be judge and jury for you and spoon feed you what you want to hear? We “complain” if they don’t report findings. Ditto if they give a reason for the findings. Sometimes the findings and reasons aren’t available at the same time and so they’re reported at different intervals. So grow up! Don’t assume when a fact is reported that the cause is what YOU”RE programmed to conclude from your own background. Until every thing is known and reported, RESERVE your own witchhunting mentality’s rushed judgements rather than blaming others.
Jimmie
April 18th, 2010
10:34 pm
Here is the thing… Mr. Roberson or whomever wrote the title, wants you to read the article. That is why the titles are always misleading. The more clicks on the link, the better it is for that person who wrote the article. I doubt that Mr. Roberson was being malice about the title, but I could be wrong. It wouldn’t be the first nor last. It’s sad that a kid like Dwyer is being drug through the mud. I’m die hard Dawg fan but I have a lot of respect for the kid and wish him all the best.(side note, I’m glad he’s gone) Derek Lowe would fail the same drug test. Hell, so would I. But, if the headline said: “GT’s Jonathan Dwyer Failed a drug test for a prescription drug that he was prescribed”, would you click on it? You just can’t get mad at Mr. Roberson. He wants you to click on his link. It keeps him employed at this fish wrapper.
Doug Roberson
April 18th, 2010
10:37 pm
I don’t think the Falcons have a second-round pick, so I don’t see them being able to get Dwyer, unless they are somehow able to trade up.
If no, Dwyer will be long gone by then. I’m still slightly surprised that he’s not in the first round of most mock drafts. Kiper, I believe, had some running back from Fresno State being selected as the second back, behind Spiller.
I think Dwyer could be another Michael Turner-like running back.
Why is this a scandal?
April 18th, 2010
10:40 pm
To those who dont know: ADHD medications are basically amphetamines. If you have a child that takes them, they may test positive on a drug screen. I believe there are several nfl players who have the same situation. I find it strange the way this story is being covered on not just this site but even other national ones. I guess a juicy headline makes more money, and matters more than the young man’s career
Doug Roberson
April 18th, 2010
10:40 pm
Let me clear up one more thing, while I would love for everyone in the big, beautiful world to read every single story, blog, brief or grocery list I write, I wouldn’t skew facts to make that wish come true.
The headline was written by someone. While accurate, it didn’t have the proper context. When the context was confirmed (remember the foxsports’ site was using anonymous sources), the headline was improved.
As Lulu pointed out, sometimes we don’t get all the facts at the same time, but we do our best to get them right as they are collected.
Tech Mom
April 18th, 2010
10:41 pm
Doug…your mama just called and she said she taught you better!
Doug Roberson
April 18th, 2010
10:42 pm
Tech Mom: She did and still does.
aldga
April 18th, 2010
10:45 pm
This is exactly why I won’t ever again pay to read the AJC.
BG
April 18th, 2010
10:46 pm
Tech players taking drugs?? Whats new????
Tech Mom
April 18th, 2010
10:47 pm
Then, I think you owe Jonathan an apology about the original headline – whether or not you wrote it. After all, your name is underneath that headline. As for Jonathan, I personally know he and his family, and have for most of his life. They are the nicest, most genuine family. Their deep faith in God will see them thru this blip, but I do wish that you would remember what all us mamas teach our kids….if you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.
Doug Roberson
April 18th, 2010
10:51 pm
I have met the Dwyers and they are very nice people. Jonathan was nice to put up with me throughout the football season. If he calls me back, I’ll try and explain the timeline of events.
snoopy
April 18th, 2010
10:51 pm
for over 50 years I have always enjoyed the AJC. How I long for Furman Bisher, The rag is no longer available in middle GA. I have tried following on line and I can not believe the CURRENT SPORTS WRITERS do not check or search their sports info. I am glad to see the class of my UGA and GT FANS come together on the TRASH now being published and calling it “sports.”
Tech Mom
April 18th, 2010
10:54 pm
Thanks Doug for your last comment. I do hope that you get to have that conversation.
David Purdum
April 18th, 2010
11:56 pm
In defense of Doug, I worked this story from the online perspective.
The original headline on the actual story read: “Former Tech running back tests positive for amphetamines, according to media report.”
At first, that is what FoxSports (media report) was reporting and has since been confirmed. There was nothing inaccurate about that headline.
As soon as we got confirmation of the circumstances surrounding the positive test, we updated the headline to reflect the change. Stories change, update and develop all the time. It is the nature of news on the Web.
Really David???
April 19th, 2010
12:58 am
Nice of you to help out poor Doug after 2 pages of getting crushed. I have NEVER seen a blog response so united from both UGA and GT fans, EV-ER. That is saying ALOT. And, PLEASE dont hide behind the “there was nothing inaccurate about ” the original headline… There is nothing inaccurate about it? do you think we’re really that stupid? journalistic integrity should have dictated before you run a story with THAT headline that runs counter to everything you guys have seen in Dwyer through closely following his career at Tech ( he was one of the first meet the player videos) and through knowledge of his family/faith, a simple phone call to him personally or his agent would have been in order PRIOR to running that crap. You guys know you screwed this one big time to see UGA and GT fans united in their disgust and outrage. For these reasons, most of us go to the message boards now for meaningful commentary, places like BBuzzoff have been my first stop for news regarding GT for years and the site is run by a freelance guy in a much more professional and monitored fashion than your paper seems to be. You really need to figure things out quick before you become an afterthought. About the only thing I like now are Steve and Mark’s sometimes insightful columns, although after Furman left there has still been a big void. (btw I still check his online entries regularly). Best thing here is to retreat and not repeat this error again, not a good business plan.
And to all the UGA fans, I raise my glass to you all. Hat’s off for being extremely classy and uniting against this garbage. I will do the same for you when I see fit.
This all comes from a former subscriber to the AJC…
collegedude
April 19th, 2010
1:32 am
Glad it’s a prescription drug that he was supposed to be taking.
Falcon fans, come meet & have lunch with 3 Falcon’s legends & support a local charity at the same time. Jeff Van Note, Jessie Tuggle, & Buddy Curry will be there and have a Q&A session with those in attendence. Check it out here: http://www.falconnationcharities.org/lunchwithlegends.html
P. Bull Terrier
April 19th, 2010
1:39 am
I know a few UGA law school grads who might be interested in helping Mr. Dwyer investigate the implications of the AJC and Fox Sports using the phrases like “failed drug test” to describe a player testing positive for a prescription medication that has been cleared by the NCAA and NFL. Unless the NFL uses the term “fail” in their reports, publishing stories claiming Mr. Dwyer “failed” the NFL drug test sounds like libel to me. If Dwyer slips lower than expected in the draft, he may be able to point to the lost income as damages from the libelous reports.
hash slinger
April 19th, 2010
1:48 am
So according to Mr. Purdum it’s the “Fox was reporting it” defense? You couldn’t hold the story & verify the facts? You obviously could as Doug did so after you published the original headline. That’s why you’ve now changed the headline three times & removed it from the front page. You CHOSE to run a sensational headline without regards to its veracity, a very poor choice. It would be nice if you could admit your mistake. I too would like to thank the Dawg fans who took the time to make their displeasure with this nonsense known. It’s much appreciated & I for one list a glass to you.
Timmy
April 19th, 2010
2:45 am
Guys,
I’m a life-long Tech fan but my sister is a UGA grad who used to write for the Red & Black, and she frequently discussed her frustration in the fact that some of the headlines for her stories didn’t match up with her story. Why? Because journalists OFTEN HAVE LITTLE OR NO SAY-SO in what the headline reads. Those in charge of that are looking for something that catches the eye even if it’s misleading…so blame the AJC, but don’t attack the writer unless you know for sure that he came up with the headline.
superDawg
April 19th, 2010
3:39 am
NUFF SAID.
Darrah
April 19th, 2010
6:08 am
Yep, this is where it leads when a bunch of UGA journalism majors end up at a newspaper.
There are so many times to take legitimate shots at UGA and its abuses of the student-athletes, the AJC figured it could do the same with Tech.
Reality Check
April 19th, 2010
7:59 am
Coming from this piece of crap called a Newspaper, what could we expect. They also enjoy Cindy Tucker, Luchovich, and Jay Bookman. Just plain garbage. No wonder they can’t sell papers.
Jacketman
April 19th, 2010
8:01 am
One thing Tech and UGA fans can agree on—–The AJC SUCKS!!!!!
mwh6767
April 19th, 2010
9:00 am
Is the Ajc seriously trying to justify this by saying “Well um…. hey Fox Sports did it first!”. Doug I’m sorry dude but I just don’t believe you had nooooo idea what the headline was going to be. Kinda like being in the store with your buddy when he steals a drink. I didn’t do it, even though I was there. The fact that Dwyer has been in the local spotlight for 4-5 years at least and nothing has ever came out about him in a negative way. Now comes along this story out of the blue about testing positive for illegal drugs and you guys just up and run with it?!?!?! C’mon guys this was bush- league journalism at its finest! Doug, yourself and the rest of the ajc should print a public written apology for the website and for the front page of the paper asap, PERIOD
Tech Fan
April 19th, 2010
9:04 am
As a Tech fan I am glad to see that there are so many class act UGA fans willing to stand up and not make an issue of this. Thank you all.
buzzwax
April 19th, 2010
9:39 am
Doug,
Most do not know that you do not write/publish the headlines. If the AJC is in such financial termoil, FIRE the people that write the headlines and save some money!!
Here is a decent article discussing Mr. Jonathon Dwyers draft status….Bill Bellicheck (sp?) and Paul Johnson know each other very well………….
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/thompson-7-points-041110
Justafan
April 19th, 2010
9:44 am
Doug its cool. Everyone makes mistakes. I believe we call that being human. Just try to be more informed.
.
April 19th, 2010
9:47 am
Sure it was Dwyer and not PAUL HEWITT? Please leave Hewitt…..
Dwyer will overcome bad pre-draft rumor | Jeff Schultz
April 19th, 2010
9:52 am
[...] eventually confirmed to our Doug Roberson that he has been taking medication for ADD for several years. That hardly makes him unique in sports — or for that matter, anywhere in [...]
AH
April 19th, 2010
10:12 am
Another dawg fan wishing Mr. Dwyer the best of luck in the NFL. It’s a shame his name had to be dragged through the paper for a “non-issue”. He was a great player for Tech and I’m glad we won’t have to see him this year in Athens. Wishing you a great career!
Fillin' up @ Juniors
April 19th, 2010
10:39 am
everytime news is rushed to ‘breaking’ without taking the time to check the accuracy it does something to discredit the media source, whether they were the orginal source or someone picking up someone elses journalism. The problem, the breakers of the story can hide, but who the story is about they cannot. Jon Dwyer and family has to deal with this for real, they dont get to hide, while those responsible can hide behind the scenes, and that is cowardice. Maybe Doug you are a scapegoat for getting caught in the middle, but we readers still look to their news media with some level of standards and ‘credibility is not given its earned.’ Yours and this newspapers takes a hit today, whether ‘at fault’ or not because we expect hometown writers to take the time to get it right, there is more on the line for hometown writers, I would expect Fox to screw it up, its why i come here to get my news. I still will, but a few more stories like this and the delivers to my house can stop.
POAD
April 19th, 2010
10:42 am
Doug in your story about Bay Bay Thomas you said Bilbo was a Widereceiver. Yes, he was but he started as a QB.
AJC fails drug test
April 19th, 2010
10:50 am
AJC failed drug test because of prescription prozac, taken to battle depression because the news organization sucks so bad, despite having zero competition in city of Atlanta.
Jo Bling
April 19th, 2010
10:53 am
David Purdam’s excuse-making is so typical of today’s pathetic journalism standards:
1. Blame someone else;
2. Hide behind the fact that a headline or statement is technically accurate (even though it is misleading as hell and, at its essence, a complete non-story)
There is no shame left in the world of journalism. It’s all about getting “page views” in order to sell online advertising. The more sensational the headline, the more likely a reader is to click on the link and create a new “page view”. Whether the headline is a fair representation of the truth is immaterial as long as it generates clicks.
POAD
April 19th, 2010
11:11 am
I think I am just going to go to TMZ for my news from now on.
Delbert D.
April 19th, 2010
11:13 am
The original story was “sold up” by a headline editor. I have a longtime friend whose daughter is a former headline editor for the AJC. Doug does not deserve any criticism for his reporting.
richard cranium
April 19th, 2010
11:38 am
why are you deleting my comments, sir..???
the truth
April 19th, 2010
11:41 am
This isn’t about Roberson!!!!! This isn’t about the whoever provided the headline. This is about the corporation named AJC. It’s about the AJC and their standards. Throwing a hook out there with a BS and absolutely misleading headline is obviously something the AJC doesn’t mind. Doesn’t matter if others do it….the fact is this is what the AJC has become. This whole incident w/ Dwyer is a non-story and should have never hit tthe media. It’s that simple. Roberson may have no first hand implications but his employer sure as hell does.
richard cranium
April 19th, 2010
11:42 am
What cowards.
richard cranium
April 19th, 2010
11:45 am
i really feel sorry for the guy who has to sit and sensor these posts.
It wouldn’t be necessary if your paper wasn’t negligent.
Big Dawg
April 19th, 2010
12:05 pm
This headline caught me off too. While nothing suprises me I’d have been suprised if Dwyer was dirty. If he slips in the draft I hope the Falcons sign him. He abused our boys in 08. If he slips because of the combine some NFL team will get a steal.
face it techies
April 19th, 2010
12:05 pm
hahahaha techies are even turning on themselves now.
glorious
chill out techies
April 19th, 2010
2:24 pm
the original story was that Dwyer failed a drug test. Hence the headline that Dwyer failed a drug test. Later information showed he was on ADD meds that caused the failed test. The story then became about why he failed the test. Hence the new headline about the meds. There was no intent to mislead. they reported what they knew, found out more stuff, and then reported that stuff.
Scott
April 19th, 2010
3:48 pm
Well, AJC, thanks for telling the world that Dwyer has ADD. Idiots.
ADD ................what??? %$#@
April 19th, 2010
4:29 pm
Ritilin or Adderoll for Attention Defecit Disorder? He has that and STILL could do the class work at tech? Nnaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, no way.
It is his for weight reduction not school work focus. Come on.
Another one bites the dust.
Magic
April 19th, 2010
4:45 pm
everyone email blake@kigercc.com at 4:45pm
Magic
April 19th, 2010
4:46 pm
and 4:55
Hokie!
April 19th, 2010
8:46 pm
I saw GT & UGA fans supporting Dwyer… AS a Hokie, I do too.. C’mon this is rude to disclose that Dwyer has ADD and taked medication. I wonder why this is even in the banned substance list…
30-24 Dawgs - We Run This State!
April 19th, 2010
9:30 pm
I agree, the headline of this story was classless! If you want to talk about how CK4 and Ealey outrushed Dwyer to the tune of 335+ yards in UGA’s 30-24 victory that’s fine but saying Dwyer failed drug test is classless!
Mike Wahba
April 19th, 2010
10:07 pm
Is the drug Adderall?
I am curious because I think it is interesting that the NFL is not concerned. If it is Adderall, then this would only be another example of why Nascar is not treating Jeremy Mayfield properly.
Matt
April 19th, 2010
10:55 pm
It seems like the reporter could have done a Google’s worth of research and see that amphetamines have a medical use and are prescribed widely. It isn’t like he tested positive for cocaine.
Those idiots on 790 (Stews) were still propagating this BS story even after it was corrected.
I understand about getting facts out but thinking a little analytically before writing a sensational headline would be a smart idea.
Matt
April 19th, 2010
11:09 pm
Mike,
The drug test is not going to tell you what brand name drug is in this system, it only tests for the amphetamine metabolites. The GC/MS analysis would be able to distinguish between methamphetamine and a prescribed amphetamine. I thought the Nascar guy tested positive for meth.
Johnny DangerDawg
April 20th, 2010
1:12 am
LizellaJacket,
This story may be unimportant, but it’s not the result of some anti-GT conspiracy at the AJC. The same story is on ESPN’s website. Also, you accuse the reporter of being a UGA journalism major, but Doug Roberson attended GCSU.
richard cranium
April 20th, 2010
1:21 am
Totally classless by the AUC.
drugtesting99
April 20th, 2010
7:06 am
Yes I agree with you Jimmie. Mr. Roberson or whomever wrote the title, wants you to read the article. That is why the titles are always misleading. The more clicks on the link, the better it is for that person who wrote the article. I doubt that Mr. Roberson was being malice about the title, but I could be wrong.
http://www.beatadrugtest.info/
Binks
April 20th, 2010
8:19 am
Just like how Houston thought he was selling Girl Scout cookies and Tarrant thought the girl was screaming “YES!!!” Disgusting Yech fans always have the excuses. Pathetic.
Paddy
April 20th, 2010
8:25 am
Doug, if you had to do it over, would you do something different? That could tell us alot.
BigTimeTechFan
April 20th, 2010
9:07 am
The Stews are great show but they pick and choose who they want to dog out and defend. Just like Jim Rhome, anyone that comes on his show is a great person, if they have a problem he’ll defend them, but if it’s someone that’s has not been on the show they slam and try to distroy them.
mwh6767
April 20th, 2010
9:11 am
Binks I REALLY dont think you want to start playing the name that athlete-criminal game. You got Houston and a dropped charge against tarrant. We’ve got Mett. , the LB thats still in Jail! And thats just this year! Lets not forget quincy, chris terry and tripp chandler and his drinking buddy. Do I need to keep going leg humper?????
Mike Wahba
April 20th, 2010
10:08 pm
Matt,
Mayfield did test for Meth by Aegis Labs, but not positive by Labcorp. I think there is a chance that he has never taken Meth. I would just hope that if I tested positive and was innocent, like this football player, I would want someone to look into the possibility that it was a false positive.
son_sir
April 21st, 2010
7:50 am
New headline on front page of this site should read “AJC Screws Up and We Apologize”. Does investigative reporting take place at all anymore ? You sully a good kid’s rep for a little sensationalism. Miserable.
AugustaJacket
April 21st, 2010
12:26 pm
Question to Fox and the AJC (and maybe the NFL):
Does “testing positive” for a substance prescribed under the direction of a licensed physician AND approved by the NFL ahead of time = “failing the drug test”?
IMO, the answer is NO.
Despite their incorrect headline, the Fox report did state that Dwyer had been cleared by the NFL for his prescription meds in the report. Again, meaning there was no “failure”. Sounds like whoever wrote the original AJC headline did not bother to read the article and just followed suit.
NativeAtlantan
April 21st, 2010
4:50 pm
There’s some sort of HIPPA violation of Jonathan’s privacy here regarding his prescription medication.
And a great admission of guilt by AJC staff that they just run with stories reported elsewhere and confirm facts later…”That’s the nature of news on the web.”…to publish a damning rumor before confirming facts? Nice.
ATL XMAN
April 22nd, 2010
7:33 am
know that ga tech has 3 projected to go 1st rd today and even if they are gailys recruits they still are former ga tech football players so look for only 1 to go 1st rd if he is lucky and that is D Morgan..the rest will be 2nd -5th rounders. gailys recruits were going pro already but PJ offense hurt there chances of going higher..morgan is defense so he wasnt hurt by the high school offense. bey bey is way behind and so is dwyer..nesbitt might be drafted next year but after this year running the high school offense without any of gailys other recruits left, he might lucky to finish the season healthy enough to play football at all in the pros…poor guy…this will not help the future of ga tech getting top players on the offense side of the ball…
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