Deer Antler Spray: Vijay Singh Admits Using Banned Substance

Professional golfer Vijay Singh has been caught up in the same deer antler spray controversy as Baltimore Ravens star Ray Lewis. The supplement suddenly made national headlines after the publication of a Sports Illustrated article about an Alabama company that sold the product to various prominent athletes.

Unlike Lewis, however, Vijay Singh has admitted using deer antler spray, which is banned by the Professional Golfers Association, the NFL, and other sports leagues.

Singh, who has never failed a PGA drug test, released the following response:

“In light of the recent article on sportsillustrated.com, I want to issue the following statement:

“While I have used deer antler spray, at no time was I aware that it may contain a substance that is banned under the PGA Tour Anti-Doping Policy. In fact, when I first received the product, I reviewed the list of ingredients and did not see any prohibited substances. I am absolutely shocked that deer antler spray may contain a banned substance and am angry that I have put myself in this position. I have been in contact with the PGA Tour and am cooperating fully with their review of this matter. I will not be commenting further at this time.”

Marketed as an alternative to steroids, deer antler spray — which is taken under the tongue — is also banned by Major League Baseball as The Inquisitrpreviously reported. At the center of the controversy is IGF-1 (an insulin-like growth factor) which is found on the velvet from antlers in immature deers. IGF-1 specifically affects a person’s level of human growth hormone.

Do you think Vijay Singh should be disciplined by the PGA for using deer antler spray?

Watch a clip from the Golf Channel about the Vijay Singh admission of using this product:

[Top image credit: Siyi Chen]