Braun In 2012: 'I Would Bet My Life That This Substance Never Entered My Body'
(CBS) After his successful appeal of a 50-game suspension for using PEDs in 2012, Ryan Braun held a press conference where he emphatically declared his innocence.
"If I had done this intentionally or unintentionally, I'd be the first one to step up and say, 'I did it.'" Braun said. "... I truly believe in my heart and I would bet my life that this substance never entered my body at any point."
But Braun didn't stop there.
"I tried to handle the entire situation with honor, with integrity, with class, with dignity and with professionalism because that's who I am and that's how I've always lived my life... We won because the truth is on my side, the truth is always relevant and at the end of the day, the truth prevailed."
Just one year later, Braun has been suspended for the remainder of the 2013 season for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Agreement. Braun has since admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs.
"As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect," he said in a statement. "I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions. This situation has taken a toll on me and my entire family, and it has been a distraction to my teammates and the Brewers organization. I am very grateful for the support I have received from players, ownership and the fans in Milwaukee and around the country.
Watch Braun's press conference from last year.
