The Associated Press, in an unprecedented decision announced Monday, is asking voters to cast new ballots on the two awards that Texans outside linebacker Brian Cushing won last season.
Because Cushing violated the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs last year and was suspended by the league for the first four games this season, 50 writers and broadcasters have been asked to vote again.
Cushing, 23, who issued a statement claiming he tested positive for a substance that wasn’t steroids but declined to disclose the substance, was voted NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and also second-team All-Pro.
Cushing, who still is eligible for both awards, was the landslide winner in the rookie voting. He received 39 votes to six for Buffalo safety Jarius Byrd.
The deadline to cast new ballots is Wednesday at 11 a.m. CST.
“This is the first time we’ve encountered an issue like this,” said Lou Ferrara, the AP’s managing editor for sports and entertainment. “Because these awards are based on on-field performance, we consider it necessary to review the matter and allow for a re-vote, especially after concerns were raised by many of our voters.”
Cushing, whose base salary this year is $395,000, was suspended Friday for the first four games of the season. That means he will forfeit $23,235 aweek. Players are paid over 17 weeks.
Cushing, who led the Texans with 133 tackles, intercepted four passes and registered four sacks, still gets a reporting bonus of $2.9 million.
Circumstances different
There are questions about why the AP would ask for a re-vote on Cushing and not for others like Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers in 2002, San Diego outside linebacker Shawne Merriman in 2005 and Minnesota defensive tackle Kevin Williams this year.
Peppers served a four-game suspension but still was voted the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Merriman won the award in 2005 but was suspended in 2006.
Williams was voted first-team All-Pro last season after being suspended for violating the NFL’s policy for performance-enhancing drugs. Williams has et to serve his suspension because he and teammate Pat Williams were able to buy time by going to court.
“In 2002, the voters knew Peppers had been suspended when they voted, and they knew Williams had been suspended when they voted,” said the AP’s Barry Wilner, who covers the NFL. “In
this case, some thought they voted under false pre-
tensses because no one knew Cushing had tested positive and was appealing when they voted.”
Under NFL rules, Cushing is not eligible for any league-sponsored awards in 2010, including the Pro Bowl. Cushing was voted to the Pro Bowl last season but couldn’t play because of injuries.
Those rules do not prohibit Cushing from being eligible for AP awards, including the All-Pro Team and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Texans ‘out of the loop’
Cushing tested positive in September but passed random tests the rest of the year. He lost his appeal with the NFL last week, and the suspension was announced Friday.
“The club’s left completely out of the loop,” owner Bob McNair said before the Texans’ golf tournament Monday. “We’re not even notified. It’s the league and the player and the player’s union. All we know is what’s been announced.”
Once the league informed Cushing and the NFLPA that he had tested positive, he
formulated a plan to appeal the laboratory finding. The union handled his appeal with the NFL Management Council.
ESPN.com reported that Cushing passed a polygraph test, which was part of his appeal. It is better
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