NFL investigating Chargers for possible illegal use of Stickum-like substance

(Getty Images)

According to Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com, the National Football League is investigating the San Diego Chargers for possibly using an illegal "Stick 'em"-like substance during their 35-24 loss to the Denver Broncos last Monday night.

"NFL Security has already begun investigation as SD equipment man was hiding illegal sticky substance and giving to players. Line judge saw it and had it confiscated and sent to Broncos and league", Glazer posted on Twitter.

The Chargers released a statement later on Sunday.

"We are aware of the inquiry and we are cooperating fully with the League," the Chargers announced on their official website.

The equipment manager had the substance hidden in hand towels and the line judge (Jeff Bergman) noticed it during a timeout and made the equipment manager in question empty his pockets. The NFL takes issues of competitive advantages seriously and Glazer adds that sanctions by the NFL could range from a substantial fine to the possible forfeiture of draft picks, the latter of which may depend on how many individuals were involved in using or distributing the illegal substance.

"Stickum" has been outlawed by the National Football League since after the 1980 season. The substance is most closely associated with former Oakland Raiders cornerback Lester Hayes, who would slather the sticky substance on his arms and hands during games. Though it has been banned, players have continued to utilize similar substances, using anything at their disposal to gain a competitive advantage. Former NFL player, head coach and current ESPN analyst Herm Edwards said that, even after the ban, he would place a small amount of Stickum on the inside of his cleats to use at key moments during games.

At what point in the game the discovery was made is unknown, so it would be a stretch to assume that the Chargers blowing a 24-point halftime lead can be traced to this incident. However, it is worth noting that, according to Stats, Inc., the Chargers do not have a player anywhere near the league lead in dropped passes this season. Instead of giving the substance to the Chargers receivers, perhaps the equipment manager should have handed it to Philip Rivers, who was intercepted four times and lost a pair of fumbles against the Broncos.

Gareth Roberts
East Valley Consulting
East Valley Consulting

Washington high schooler Austin Rehkow hits remarkable 67-yard field goal to send game into OT

Watch out Sebastian Janikowski. You've got company in the unlikely form of a high school senior in Washington state.

As reported by the Seattle Times and a variety of other outlets, and brought to Prep Rally's attention by Beer Mug Sports, Spokane (Wash.) Central Valley High kicker Austin Rehkow set a state record byconnecting on a 67-yard field goal during his team's Thursday night, 62-55 victory against rival Spokane (Wash.) Shadle Park.

"I kicked it and I was a little bit worried it was going to be a little bit left," Rehkow told "Good Morning America" just hours after he connected on the game-tying kick. "It started to straighten out for me, and from 67 yards out it's kind of hard to tell if it goes over the bar or is just short of it. I really just had to wait for the refs to put their arms up for me.

"To get it with no wind, and especially to [get a chance to] win the game, it's a special feeling."

Making the kick even more impressive were the circumstances surrounding the kick. Rehkow had to make the 67-yarder to force overtime with Central Valley trailing, 55-52. After a clean snap and a hold at his own 43-yard line -- yes, his own 43 -- Rekhow stepped up and drove his boot right through ball, which went on through the uprights, setting the stage for an eventual overtime victory for Central Valley.

For a moment, forget the final score and just look at that kick. Rehkow's powerful drive easily could have been good from another 3 yards or so. That's remarkable considering the fact that Rehkow claims he'd never even hit a field goal in practice from beyond 63 yards before.

As it was, Rehkow's historic field goal set a state record for longest field goal and tied the second-best mark in national history, behind a 68-yarder hit in 1985. That's not to mention that the blast is a good4 yards longer than the longest NFL field goal of all time, a mark which is currently 63 yards, held by the aforementioned Janikowski, Jason Elam, David Akers and Tom Dempsey.

Though it may be hard to believe, ESPN's Mason Kelley reported that Rehkow doesn't have a single scholarship offer from a major Division I school. At the moment the kicker reportedly only has a partial scholarship offer from Eastern Washington.

If that doesn't change almost immediately, college recruiting staffs just aren't paying attention. After all, they're not going to see a more impressive kick than Rehkow's, either in terms of distance, power or pressure-packed circumstances.

Paging Mack Brown. The answer to your kicking issues may be suiting up in the Pacific Northwest right now.

Gareth Roberts

East Valley Consulting

East Valley Consulting

Olympians featured nude in ESPN’s ‘Body Issue’

(ESPN The Magazine)

A number of U.S. Olympic athletes including decathlete Ashton Eaton and members of the U.S. women's volleyball team are featured in ESPN The Magazine's upcoming Body Issue, which annually features athletes photographed in the nude.

U.S. women's volleyball team (ESPN The Magazine)

[ Photos: U.S. Olympic volleyball team in action ]

Basketball forward Tyson Chandler (ESPN The Magazine)

Gymnast Dannell Leyva (ESPN The Magazine)

Gold-medal sailor Anna Tunnicliffe (ESPN The Magazine)