Kent Ninomiya - In the old days, when an athlete was accused of using performance enhancing drugs they just came out and denied it. That strategy didn't work well for those who were actually guilty. Just ask Marion Jones who is heading to prison for six months for lying to investigators. Houston Astro shortstop Miguel Tejada is now under investigation by the FBI for allegedly lying to investigators about his possible steroid use. If he's found guilty he might go to prison as well. Athletes are realizing that covering up is often more costly than what they're accused of doing in the first place. Many are now listening to their attorneys and saying nothing. There's a reason Mark McGuire is rarely seen in public anymore and wont grant interviews to anyone. He knows that nothing he says will help his case or public perception. McGuire refused to implicate himself or possibly commit perjury when he testified before congress. It hurt him in the public eye but may keep him out of prison if he ever is found guilty of anything. Even Roger Clemens, who went on the offensive against his accuser, refuses to make statements that could end up harming him later. Expect more carefully worded statements when he eventually testifies to congress. The bottom line is, athletes are beginning to realize that people will not take their word for it. The smart ones know what they say can and will come back to haunt them. Kent Ninomiya
