"Lights Out" on the Chargers season ·

Shawne Lights Out Merriman has been suspended for taking steroids. (Link)

It was only a matter of time. It’s just not natural to be 6’4” and 275 pounds of mostly muscle, with the ability to outrun track athletes.

“Because he is black” only works for an excuse for so long.

Questions started to arise when his name went from a normal-looking Shawn to a super-sized Shawne. Speculation is that the extra E is a legitimate, though uncommon, side effect of steroid use.

Rumours also started floating because Shawne sometimes avoids hitting drills in practice because he may injure teammates, and because he actually is also The Hulk.

Shawne has apologized by saying he accepted responsibility for what happened but would appeal any suspension levied. That sort of irrational, contradictory thinking is what we’ve come to love and embrace from athletes who major in communications (Criminology in this case, but who’s counting).

Merriman, of course, is denying that he took the substance knowingly. His lawyer is citing the offending drug (Nandrolone – an anabolic steroid) as being present in one of Shawne’s supplements.

This makes Merriman the latest in the long line of cheating athletes who take meticulous care of their body but somehow allow an anabolic steroid to get mixed in with their protein shake.

An appeal would mean that Merriman can practice and play with his team as normal until a decision is made.