Braun Speaks Publicly For First Time Since Positive Drug Test

POSTED: 8:51 am CST January 22, 2012
UPDATED: 9:10 am CST January 22, 2012

MILWAUKEE -- Brewers star Ryan Braun spoke publicly this weekend, for the first time since reports surfaced that he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.He gave a speech Saturday night while accepting his National League MVP Award in New York City.He didn't mention the recent controversy specifically, but several things he said seemed to address the issue."I also want to take a moment to thank the player's association for supporting me throughout my career. And especially for supporting me through everything I went through the past couple of months," Braun said."Sometimes in life, we all deal with challenges we never expected to endure. We have an opportunity to look at those challenges and view them either as obstacles or opportunities. I've chose to view every challenge I've ever faced as an opportunity. And this will be no different. I've always believed that a person's character is revealed through the way they deal with those moments of adversity."You can watch Braun's speech on the MLB website. When the positive drug test was first reported by ESPN last month, Braun had a spokesman issue a statement saying there were circumstances supporting "Ryan's complete innocence."Braun's appeal of his test began Thursday before baseball arbitrator Shyam Das.Under the joint drug agreement between baseball teams and the players' association, Braun will have to prove "the presence of a prohibited substance in his urine was not due to his fault or negligence."As Braun tries to avoid a 50-game suspension, the burden is a heavy one to overcome. A baseball arbitrator has never ordered a suspension overturned following a grievance hearing.MLB has not confirmed the positive test. Baseball's drug agreement says first positive tests are not made public until after the appeals process has been completed.Technically, the arbitration is before a three-person panel that also includes a representative of management and the union. The independent member, Das, is the decisive vote in nearly all cases.

Previous Stories:

• January 20, 2012: Ryan Braun Pleads Case
• December 20, 2011: Fans Still Buying Braun Jerseys For Christmas
• December 14, 2011: Rodgers Calls Braun Allegations "Ridiculous"
• December 12, 2011: Team Waiting To Hear All Sides Of Braun Controversy
• December 12, 2011: Braun Responds To Reports Of Substance Test
• December 11, 2011: ESPN: Ryan Braun Tests Positive For Peformance-Enhancing Drug
• November 22, 2011: Ryan Braun Wins National League MVP

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