UPDATED: Georgia OL Kolton Houston still ineligible due to banned substance
ATHENS – As Georgia prepares to begin preseason football practices Thursday, Georgia offensive lineman Kolton Houston remains ineligible to compete for the Bulldogs, the school confirmed Thursday.
Houston, a redshirt sophomore offensive tackle from Buford, was ineligible last season due to what Georgia would say is only was “an NCAA issue.” But according to 10 pages of documents and letters released to the AJC on Thursday, Houston has been actively appealing a positive NCAA test for a banned substance since April of 2010. At that time, Houston was informed he had tested positive for “19-norandrosterone” — an anabolic steroid — in a random drug screening.
According to appeals documents filed with the NCAA and president Mark Emmert, Houston has continued to test positive since then, though the school and family contend there has been no re-use of the substance and the levels have declined to the point of being disadvantageous. Houston reportedly was administered the steroid after surgery for a high school shoulder injury.
According to UGA, Houston will be able to continue to practice but will be unable to play until he’s able to produce a clean test.
Georgia coach Mark Richt, who has been asked about Houston’s availability repeatedly since last fall, finally addressed the situation openly Thursday at the team’s preseason news conference.
“It’s been a difficult situation for Kolton and his family and us as coaches, continuing to assume it’s gonna get out of there but it just hasn’t. You’ve been asking me questions for a while and I’ve been saying, ‘Hopefully we’ll be ready to go.’ Well, he’s still not ready to go. It could happen any time really.”
Houston is listed as the No. 1 right tackle heading into preseason camp. Initially Richt said sophomore Watts Dantzler will step into the starting position with true freshman John Theus competing for playing time.
The Houston family approved the release of the documents, which otherwise would be protected by federal privacy laws. Family lawyers and Georgia have continued to appeal the case.
The latest appeal came on July 12 when athletic director Greg McGarity sent a personal letter to NCAA President Mark Emmert:
“Mr. Houston, his parents and our staff acknowledge the fact that the results of that test severely impacted his ability to compete as a student-athlete at UGA, and the Houston family accepted the responsibility for this unfortunate situation. Since the initial test confirmation on April 13, 2010, Mr. Houston has been tested very frequently by the NCAA and UGA, and there is scientific evidence that clearly demonstrates that there has been no re-use over the past 2 1/2 years. While we have fought for Mr. Houston’s restoration of eligibility through every imaginable NCAA process available without any success, we will maintain our effort to see this through to the very end. It is disappointing to witness this scenario play out for 2 1/2 years with Mr. Houston’s eligibility in question. . . . We are appealing to you on behalf of the young man who has done everything possible to clear himself.”
Georgia did not get the reply it sought from Emmert. In a July 31 letter, he wrote:
“While I understand the institution’s empathy for Kolton’s situation, I am surprised the institution would make such a request. That surprise stems in part from the fact that Kolton tested positive in subsequent drug tests after his initial sanction, and the Drug Test Appeals Subcommittee did not impose additional sanctions . . . due to the “declining value” argument that supported the conclusion that there was no use of the banned substance. The exit test policy, however, which would require Kolton not to have elevated levels of the banned substance in his system prior to competing against other student-athletes who are competing clean, is not something that can be appealed because doing so would undermine the purpose of the drug-testing program. . . . The fact remains that Kolton currently has the presence of a banned substance in his system and will not be able to participate in NCAA competition until that presence drops to an appropriate threshold.”
Here’s Georgia’s official statement on the subject:
“Prior to his enrollment at the University of Georgia, Kolton Houston sustained a shoulder injury while participating in high school football. During the recovery process he was unknowingly given a substance which was banned by the NCAA. During normal NCAA randomized drug testing for student-athletes, Kolton was tested during the first semester and tested positive for Norandrolone, a performance enhancing substance. Per NCAA guidelines he was banned from competition for one year and lost one of his four years of athletic eligibility. The University of Georgia Athletic Association has worked closely with the NCAA, the National Center for Drug Free Sport, Kolton and his family to restore his eligibility. Although he remains ineligible for competition at this time, he is eligible to practice and train with the team and remains on scholarship. His family has requested that the Athletic Association release information related to his NCAA status. Per their request, five letters related to his appeal along with supporting documentation are being released.”
Here’s a statement from Ron Courson, UGA’s director of sports medicine:
“This is an extremely unique and complex case. The banned substance use occurred prior to his enrollment at the University of Georgia. During the past 2 1/2 years while at Georgia following the positive NCAA test, our testing clearly demonstrates Kolton has had no further re-use. We feel strongly he’s deserving of the three remaining years of eligibility and (will) continue to work toward restoration.”
Here’s Richt’s comments on the situation made at the preseason practice news conference Thursday:
“Kolton obviously hasn’t been playing. He’s had an eligibility issue. Kolton’s family asked if we would make some things available. There’s a packet of things that you’ll all receive. It’s fairly technical stuff. … Ron Courson will be available later today. … We were going to wait until tomorrow but we figured we would just have it today so when you [write] your stories you’ll have all the information…
“Basically prior to Kolton coming to Georgia he had a shoulder surgery and unknowingly was given a substance that’s banned by the NCAA. So he ended up testing positive for that substance. It wasn’t like a recreational drug or anything like that. . . .
“The NCAA has a protocol that if you test positive for that kind of thing, you miss a year of competition. So his first year he missed a year of competition. Over time you assume this substance will leave your body and you get to the point where the NCAA says you can go back and play. We’ll, we’ve been waiting for that moment and it hasn’t come. It’s been 2 ½ years and this thing, for whatever reason, has not gotten out of it. Ron will be able to tell you the story behind it. But he’s been tested probably more time than anybody in the history of college football. We’re 100 percent certain that he hasn’t continued to take this thing. It’s just never gotten far enough out of the system for him to be declared eligible to play. That’s about as much as I can explain in layman’s terms. Ron will be able to explain. The file’s a whole lot thicker than this but whatever Ron gives you all will hopefully help you understand better. …
“What does that do for us as a football team? We have to prepare as if he won’t be able to play. … We’ll have Watts Dantzler there, and Theus backing him up at the right tackle position.”
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305 comments Add your comment
LogicalUS
August 2nd, 2012
9:28 pm
Vassar who listed as the starting LB opposite Jones is gone for the 1st two games….geez.
Not to worry though, the UGA beaners at several sites had already demoted this starter to 5th team…amazingly that demotion occurred exactly .823 milliseconds after his hidden suspension was revealed by 247.
Repeat after me….”we will be fine”
Notebook: Georgia confirms Chase Vasser’s May DUI arrest | UGA sports blog
August 2nd, 2012
9:29 pm
[...] Kolton Houston remains ineligible due to banned substance (with video) [...]
Nahila
August 2nd, 2012
9:48 pm
Ask the medical staff if they would recommend Chelation on Houston as a possible way to quickly rid him with the remaining steroid. I know it works in some instances to remove toxics such as lead and other substances from one’s system. It is worth a try, so someone reading this should pass this idea to check out with qualified Doctors who would know whether the use of the Chelation could be a possible answer.
Nahila
August 2nd, 2012
10:34 pm
The UGA medical team should research Chelation for Houston which might just help rid his system of the steroid in question. There is noting to lose and his elgibility to gain. Please research the Chelation idea, it has helped rid lead in people’s bodies before why not steroids?
King gator
August 2nd, 2012
10:38 pm
At least he wasn’t drunk! #6 preseason …. This going well!
Paul in NH
August 2nd, 2012
10:40 pm
Chelation works to remove metals from your system (lead, arsenic, etc.) – the chelate binds to the metal ion and you excrete it. It would not work for the likely steroid derivative with which KH was injected. The whole point of using an ester derivative of a steroid is to have it slowly hydrolyze over time and keep the steroid in your system for as long as possible.
RTR22
August 2nd, 2012
10:49 pm
Hope the kid gets on the field in 2012. Roll Tide
Champion Dawg
August 3rd, 2012
1:26 am
UGA should lead other SEC teams to secede the NCAA. They are not our friend but the enemy. Emmert is probably some homosexual lawyer. Odds are good I bet. NCAA has cost UGA championships in the past. NCAA cant get football playoff right. They are greedy and in it for the money not the kids. NCAA man up and restore all 4 years of Kolton’s eligibility. Do the right thing you leftist nazis.
Hugh
August 3rd, 2012
2:16 am
Who’s the doc who injected him? Sounds like medical malpractice.
Notebook: Georgia confirms Chase Vasser’s May DUI arrest
August 3rd, 2012
3:43 am
[...] Kolton Houston remains ineligible due to banned substance (with video) [...]
DogRule
August 3rd, 2012
6:49 am
Georgia should sue the NcAA to get Kolton eligible—enough is enough!
RHall55
August 3rd, 2012
7:14 am
UGA Football provided so much great news yesterday…top CB prospect in the state of GA, Brendon Langley commits to SC; Kolton Houston, projected starting OL, may still be ineligible because of a banned substance; then a reminder on the article of replacing IC, and now Chase Vasser being suspended for (2) games because of a DUI….CMR, c’mon man, do your job and get ur staff to do their’s…so tired of negative pub…happens everyother week!!
Keith
August 3rd, 2012
7:30 am
ANOTHER SUSPENSION! I am fed up with this coach!!!!! We lose to Missouri by 10
DawgDays
August 3rd, 2012
7:57 am
Tough luck for the kid….and if his doctor knowingly gave him the drug, he should be stripped of his practice….and more importantly, I cant wait for the brilliant Schultz article that Richt should have seen this coming, and not recruited him using his new red flag high risk system…
SEC Fan
August 3rd, 2012
7:59 am
Go to Bufords weight room and take a look….. It starts early.
DawgByte
August 3rd, 2012
8:09 am
We’re officially hosed. This OL was suspect from Day 1 and just got significantly worse. Not that I’m pessimistic or anything.
Steamer Lane Bulldog
August 3rd, 2012
8:16 am
NCAA only sees issues in black and white only.
Andy
August 3rd, 2012
8:22 am
buzzwax UGA does have a good pharmacy school but its like the UGA football team its a little short on O L
AltamahaDawg
August 3rd, 2012
8:26 am
Just got significantly worse? No, not really. You may have just come to know, but the team and staff has obviously known about this a long time. Richt has been saying for recent days, and weeks, and months ago…..that are planning around him, but hoping he can get in there at some point..
I’d still bet he is out there sooner rather than later. The fact that they went ahead and released the specifics of it would lead me to believe they are extremely close to having that negative test. Courson decribed it as a couple of nanograms at this point.
Nor is a guy who has yet to play in college the difference between success and disaster.
WDE
August 3rd, 2012
8:29 am
Lets see a doctor gives the young man a shot that makes him fail the NCAA drug test, medical records and test prove the young man has not taken the product in over 2 and a half years and can prove those findings and yet the NCAA will not clear the young man to play….witch hunt much?
AltamahaDawg
August 3rd, 2012
8:36 am
As well, obviously the staff knew Vasser was not going to to play a couple of game as far back as May, so nobody is getting blindsided by any of this in a meeting room today. Hopefully THIS was the rumored LB that was pending suspension, and not in addition.
I have a feeling that Rambo’s case is still under review, or they would have gone ahead and announced something. I suspect he gets a slightly less than max because his first strike was pretty questionable IMO, that he deserved any suspension..
AltamahaDawg
August 3rd, 2012
8:45 am
WDE, would you agree that there is some level, some amount of PED that is simply too high, that should keep a player off the field? Or is there no level, however high it is, depending on the circumstances?
WDE
August 3rd, 2012
8:55 am
@AltamahaDawg I haven’t read where it a matter of a given level merely a trace seems to be enough for the NCAA to ban his playing. No discussion I’ve seen that it can still be giving him any edge as far as performance. The sticking point to me is they claim they can prove no usage for over 2.5 years…and don’t state the PED could be giving him unfair advantage after all that time…so what is the point of no letting him play if he has no unfair advantage? I’m not for letting PED’s become part of the game…just don’t see the sense in this due to the amount of time passed with no usage. If they last that long and continued to give benefit I bet Barry and Mark would have saved a lot of money…
'94 UGA Alumnus
August 3rd, 2012
9:41 am
This season is going down the drain before it even starts. We shouldn’t have any problem figuring our starting 5 OL because that is all we have.
AltamahaDawg
August 3rd, 2012
9:44 am
No, it’s a certain level. Called “elevated levels”. He is allowed to play as soon as he get below (whatever the number is). Because the NCAA is appearantly conceeding that he is not a repeat offended.
If it were simply any trace whatsoever, they would just put in a permanant ban. Nobody is disputing that he did have the banned substance.
AltamahaDawg
August 3rd, 2012
9:55 am
“…..and will not be able to participate in NCAA competition until that presence drops to an appropriate threshold.”
>2.5 mg/ml to be exact.
00mpa L00mpa dawg
August 3rd, 2012
10:16 am
our dwarf Qb needs some of those roids dont ya think…..
WDE
August 3rd, 2012
10:18 am
@AltamahaDawg lets just hope it will fall lower than that soon. Seems this young man as done all he can to do what is needed to get back on the field.
AltamahaDawg
August 3rd, 2012
10:36 am
2.5 ng/ml actually. I thought it might not be to long, but after reading some reports, I’m not sure they are that close.
AltamahaDawg
August 3rd, 2012
10:41 am
The bigger part of this story to me is that Courson is not disagreeing with the “rule” (which I doubt he does) as much as he is disputing the actual NCAA testing methods and results.
AltamahaDawg
August 3rd, 2012
10:46 am
BTW, Joey, there are quite a few documents out there that clearly show that Greg McGarity was entirely up to date on every detail of this, before sending his letter of appeal to the NCAA. Which of cource its pretty obvious that he would be in the first place.
Mark "Ricky Bobby" Richt
August 3rd, 2012
10:50 am
If you wanna Get JUICED then Get JUICED on JESUS!
AltamahaDawg
August 3rd, 2012
10:51 am
Thought it would be funnier the 3rd time?
peachfuzz
August 3rd, 2012
11:00 am
Cmr said “be positive”, so Vasser “is being positive”.
WDE
August 3rd, 2012
11:59 am
Some good new on the OL front 6′8″, 350-pound offensive guard Trenton Brown from Georgia Military College committed to play his football between the hedges in 2013, according to Radi Nabulsi of ESPN.com.Kid is the no 2 rated junior college OL in the nation.
Interesting Info...
August 3rd, 2012
12:08 pm
Laboratories are required to detect levels of 19-norandrosterone at 2 ng per millilitre or lower. This is
the level of 19-norandrosterone accepted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as ‘naturally
occurring’. A level higher than this is considered ‘positive’. Athletes have been found with
19-norandrosterone levels 100 times above this baseline. Tennis players have not had these really
high levels, but have had positive tests.
Analytical chemists have developed high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS), which is more
sensitive than standard mass spectrometry. This helps to detect 19-norandrosterone at the low level
needed. HR-MS allows better detection of fragments without interference from other compounds. They
also use High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to get a clean separation of
19-norandrosterone before using the mass spectrometer. One major advantage of this technique is
that the 19-norandrosterone can be detected for relatively long periods in the urine, so it is harder to
avoid detection.
There are claims that the tests for 19-norandrosterone (effectively nandrolone) are flawed. This is for
two main reasons – athletes claim the chemical can be present at a high level legitimately and that
legal dietary supplements may cause increased levels.
The bobsleigh racer Lenny Paul claimed that his positive test arose from eating non-organic
beef obtained from cattle that had eaten steroids. A boxer claimed to have failed his test
because he had sex with his pregnant wife. The tennis player Greg Rusedski claimed that his
positive test was caused by taking dietary supplements recommended by the Association for
Tennis Players, but that these were contaminated with a substance that produced
19-norandrosterone. Others argue that 19-norandrosterone can be formed from the legal
substance creatine, which is found in high-protein milkshakes.
Scientists in Aberdeen claim that increased levels of 19-norandrosterone can’t be produced by
taking legal dietary supplements alone, or by exercise alone. A combination of both could give a
positive test – and as yet we don’t fully understand the metabolic processes in the body that cause
the level to increase.
Interesting Info...
August 3rd, 2012
12:24 pm
SCIENTISTS in Aberdeen claim that increased levels of 19-norandrosterone can’t be produced by
taking legal dietary supplements alone, or by exercise alone. A combination of both could give a
positive test – and as yet we don’t fully understand the metabolic processes in the body that cause
the level to increase.
If Scientists even admit that THEY don’t fully understand the metabolic processes in the body that cause the level to increase and this kid has been tested and even the NCAA admits that the tests prove no re-use, then they have to give him the benefit of the doubt. This is why the big conferences should just seperate themselves from the NCAA and tell them to go pound sand. As someone said earlier, this is the same governing body that doesn’t want to have a uniform drug testing policy because it doesn’t want to interfere. What a joke. Kolton is given a substance by his DOCTOR to recover from SURGERY, but this some how gives him a competitive advantage.
I’ve lifted weights and have trained for years and I got news for the NCAA and Mr. Emmert, if he thinks that there aren’t players on Saturdays that aren’t juicing he’s SADLY mistaken. The physical development of some of the players out there ain’t natural. It’s all about timing and knowing when the tests are going to be administered. There’s stuff out there like Winstrol that can be out of your system in 3 weeks depending on how its taken. Sounds like from the research I’ve done, that he’s eating too much pork (O-lineman in the south, surprise,surprise) and probaly taking creatine. Kolton lay off the pork, steriod fed beef and ALL suplements for the next month, take the test, clear your name and move on with your career. If the trainers are smart they’ll put him on an organic free range chicken diet and remove all suplementation short of vitamins, and he should clear his system up pretty quickly.
Sven Ottke
August 3rd, 2012
12:36 pm
Ah yes, the old “unknowingly” excuse. That’s a very good one to use with the NCAA. Works all the time.
Interesting Info...
August 3rd, 2012
1:32 pm
Sven – don’t be an idiot. Do a little homework, It’s a naturally occuring substance to begin with. The NCAA should change it’s definitions because technically it’s not a banned substance. It’s the LEVEL of the substance that’s in question, and by their (NCAA) own admission, his levels declined to a point of NO RE-USE, so it’s spiking due to other LEGAL reasons. There is SO much misinformation about steroids and suplements mostly because you have a bunch of people who haven’t even seen the inside of gym reporting on it and not doing any homework. The testing for this stuff has flaws and inconsistentcies to begin with. All I’m saying if there are LEGIT reasons for him to spike at the levels he does -which there are, and HIS DOCTOR administered the drug to help with post surgery recovery – WHICH HE DID, and their tests prove that he has had NO RE-USE, WHICH THEY HAVE, then the NCAA should let the kid play. If they had TRULY random testing then they would pop players left and right. But the schools KNOW when they are coming. That’s why most of the cases where players get caught it’s usually something medically related or a tainted supplement. Like I said in an earlier post there are steroids out there that can be out of your system within 3 weeks. Not to mention the kids doing “oil changes”. Sounds like a case of a kid trying to do the right thing, but maybe he should consider doing that. And yes players do get “oil changes” I spoke with a couple of former NFL players who admited off the record that it goes on all the time in college.
borderbash
August 3rd, 2012
2:18 pm
Intersting info, for sure! And Bill Clinton did not have sex with that woman. And Mark McGuire did not take steroids. And Barry Bonds…and Marion Jones…and Lance Armstrong (convenient testicular something or other)…they ALL deny it because they’re ALL cheaters.
Houston has an unacceptable level in his system and it gives him an unfair advantage. That’s enough homework for me.
SEC East: Four division contenders all have questions that need answers | Saturday Down South
August 3rd, 2012
2:30 pm
[...] line. There are players who lack experience, and most are unproven. It doesn’t help that Kolton Houston is ruled ineligible, again, for testing positive for a banned substance that he unknowingly took. He won the right [...]
gcs
August 3rd, 2012
4:10 pm
Gee, it’s too bad St. Mark and his apologists are so against oversigning.
That would’ve come in pretty hand right about now.
gcs
August 3rd, 2012
4:11 pm
Gee, it’s too bad St. Mark and his apologists are so against oversigning.
That would’ve come in pretty handy* right about now.
Aug 3: Evening Notes/Links | Winning Cures Everything
August 3rd, 2012
8:36 pm
[...] to start at outside linebacker this season. More bad news for UGA, offensive lineman Kolton Houston remains ineligible from testing positive for substances (steroids) banned by the NCAA. These two join junior linebacker Alec Ogletree and senior safety [...]
Notes: Dantzler, Theus battle at RT; Malcome missing Crowell | UGA sports blog
August 3rd, 2012
9:41 pm
[...] is now the Bulldogs’ competition at right tackle. With Thursday’s news that projected starter Kolton Houston remains ineligible indefinitely, Georgia has turned to the Dantzler and Theus to battle for the [...]
dawgfan13
August 4th, 2012
11:50 am
That Mizzo game is looking like it is going to be a lose for the bulldogs! I know evereyone is thinking well we are Georgia, we should kick their buts because we are bigger and stronger, but think about how these Mizzo players are tabbing this as their game of the year. They are going to play above their heads nd I am not sure Georgia will be able to respond. Our offense has weapons, but if the line is inexperienced, they wont be able to get the running game going to set up the play action pass which means Aaron Murray, who is prone to turing the ball over in key games will be in predictable situations and Mizzo will be able to pin their ears back and rush without the threat of a running back who is proven or a line that has any experience what so ever. I havent even mentioned the noise factor the offensive line will have to deal with. Its very disappointing that as a Dawgfan, I cant ever look forward to the Dawgs having a clean off season with no arrest and now steroid drama! Everything that comes out about the Dawgs preseason is negative! I want to stay positive, but all of the off season stuff coupled with Aaron Murray’s turnover problems in big games is looking like it is going to be a score like Mizzo 38 UGA 21. Let the Fire Mark Richt chants begin, not that any of this is his fault, but if not him, then who????
Pitbull
August 4th, 2012
12:14 pm
Yawn.
No story to write today, huh Chip?
ole yeller
August 4th, 2012
3:02 pm
I don’t agree with the NCAA testing policies but I certainly under their position. It is sad that a drug will hang around in a persons body this long that indicates use when infact there is little to no evident of abuse by this young man. I am in hope this will clear soon. The Oline will be fine anyway.
Theavgjoe
August 4th, 2012
4:50 pm
Let me make sure I get this straight. He has a banned steroid that was given to him without his knowledge two and a half years ago. He hasn’t taken it since but it is still in his system so he can’t play. But Cam Newton’s father shops him out to the highest bidder but the NCAA makes up a new rule and says his father is considered an agent so he is eligible. They then immediately change the rules making it illegal. What a great and wonderful NCAA we have.
Concussion sidelines Ray Drew from UGA practice (updated w/ practice notes) | UGA sports blog
August 6th, 2012
9:25 pm
[...] The Kolton Houston case [...]