NCAA granted summary judgment in Bledsoe’s suit
NORMAN — When Oklahoma defensive lineman Amani Bledsoe tested positive for performanceenhancing drugs early in the 2016, he was forceful in a letter of appeal to the NCAA in saying that he didn’t knowingly ingest a prohibited substance.
“I've been blessed with size, speed, strength, and athleticism since I was a young boy in sports, and have always been raised to have great character from an amazing single mom, who continued to preach this to me and all my five brothers growing up," Bledsoe wrote in an appeal to the NCAA shortly after his positive test. "I would not cheat and never will. I just hope you guys can see that too."
The NCAA didn’t challenge Bledsoe’s assertion in response to a suit filed by Bledsoe against the organization after he was not only suspended for a calendar year but also docked an additional year of eligibility.
But still, Bledsoe’s career is likely over after Oklahoma’s College Football Playoff run after Cleveland County District Judge Jeff Virgin granted the NCAA’s motion of summary judgment in the case while denying Bledsoe’s.
The decision came Dec. 11, a day after a hearing in the case, but wasn’t posted until this week.
Bledsoe was seeking reinstatement of his lost year of eligibility, plus court costs and attorney fees.
Bledsoe said he borrowed the protein powder from then-teammate Abdul Adams and took it just once. The protein powder wasn’t labeled as including any banned substances, but after Bledsoe’s positive test for clomiphene, it was found to be tainted with the substance in a test from an independent lab.
Still, Bledsoe’s suspension stood. If he had asked Oklahoma officials to clear the protein powder before he’d ingested it — which they almost certainly would have given the lack of concerning ingredients on the label — Bledsoe would’ve likely avoided the suspension and loss of eligibility.
Bledsoe has played in 29 games for the Sooners over the last three seasons, including starting all 13 this year. This season he has 32 tackles, two sacks and seven pass breakups.