Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Sitting at home 'a hard thing to take': Rams linebacker returns after serving suspension

Violated NFL's policy on drugs

ST. LOUIS -- Sitting out four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs taught St. Louis Rams linebacker David Vobora how much football meant to him.

"It was the hardest thing I have ever done, having to watch on TV," Vobora said. "It was rough. It was definitely a humbling experience, and I've learned a lot going through it and I feel good about coming back now."

Asked what he'd learned, Vobora said: "The main thing you learn is how you love it. When you are sitting at home only able to work out three times a day to get your aggression out, and you see your teammates out on the field, that is a hard thing to take."

Vobora claims to have taken a workout supplement that was tainted. He said he's in the process of pursuing legal action against the company that manufactures the supplement.

"The system is difficult because I made every move I possibly could to check on certain supplements," Vobora said. "I got it checked out a number of times through the NFL hot line. They told me there was nothing (in it) that could possibly trigger a positive test, but in the end, the NFLPA as well as the NFL hotline, they can't do anything about it when something does come up."

Because the supplement wasn't approved by the NFL, any resulting positive test made Vobora subject to a suspension.

"Even though I knew a guy in the league who used it, and I know a number of other people who have used that product, you can't ever be careful enough," Vobora said. "You can call the hot line and say, 'I have a broccoli supplement,' and they're going to say, 'There is nothing in broccoli that tests positive, but you're still taking it at your own risk."'

Vobora said he learned that he had tested positive for a banned substance in July. He said he immediately contacted Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo and Rams general manager Billy Devaney.

"Right from the get-go, I approached Coach Spags and Billy Devaney and I said, 'Here's the exact situation, I have nothing to hide,"' Vobora said. "I just moved forward from that. They kept me around here. They could have easily have said, 'Too bad, we don't want to deal with you.' They stuck behind me. They know what kind of person I am and what kind of character I have and the kind of work ethic I have."

Vobora had appealed the suspension, but after suffering a concussion in the Rams' loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 27, he decided to serve the suspension.

"The bottom line is that I was going to have to serve that four-game suspension," Vobora said. "The NFL said, 'Listen you have a great court case and case of law, but as far the four-game suspension, it's going to have to be served.' The concussion played a large role in that."

Vobora became Mr. Irrelevant as the last player in the 2008 NFL Draft. He'd worked himself into a starting role this season before the suspension.

Vobora was back working at strong-side linebacker with the starting defense during practice on Wednesday.

"He had some fresh legs. When he did some kickoff stuff with the special teams, he was ahead of everybody," Spagnuolo said. "He surfaced and climbed his way to starting SAM linebacker (during training camp). He worked his butt off all offseason. He deserved being a starter."

Spagnuolo said a decision on whether Vobora will play this Sunday against the Detroit Lions will be made later in the week.

"Whether I get one play or 100 plays, I'm going to make the most of it," Vobora said.

Vobora said he was going to talk to younger players about the NFL's steroid policy to help them avoid the same mistake that he made.

"I look to the future to everything, and I'm going to help other guys in the league understand the dangers in it," Vobora said. "As far as the future for myself and the team, I'm just looking forward to coming back."