FORT COLLINS — Newly-elected Colorado State defensive captain Ricky Brewer wanted closure on a painful experience. The senior linebacker announced Saturday that a failed drug test at the 2008 New Mexico Bowl was what cost his junior year of eligibility.
“I tested positive for a banned substance which was marijuana,” Brewer said after practice. “That’s a tough situation. It was a tough lesson to learn.”
Brewer had the makings of an all-conference season going into his junior year before he was relegated to the practice squad in the spring. The catch-all “team rules violation” offense was given as the official reason by the athletic department. Brewer had politely deflected all questions about the cause for his suspension.
The NCAA conducts tests at bowl games and NCAA championships. In addition, CSU tests four times a year with a three-step sanction process, the first of which is counseling and education. Brewer said he didn’t have a positive test before or after the one that cost his 2009 season.
He said he used his time to tell others, including athletes at his Mullen alma mater, not to repeat his mistake.
He guarded his privacy until today because “I didn’t feel like it was the right time (before). I feel this season is part of a resurrection for me so I was in the shadows for a whole season. It didn’t want to bring any of that baggage along with me, any of that speculation.”
CSU coach Steve Fairchild said “It’s something he wants to do,” of Brewer’s decision to make the announcement.
Natalie Meisler: 303 954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
