You might remember that almost exactly one year ago today, we told you about Rams LB David Vobora suing the company that provided him with what he says was a tainted workout supplement.
Today, Vobora’s legal team exclaims that a federal judge has awarded Vobora $5.4 million after determining that the company that made the supplement was at fault for Vobora’s four-game suspension in 2009.
U.S. District Court Judge Rodney W. Sippel ruled that the company, Anti-Steroid Program, LLC, intentionally misrepresented the product, and he awarded Vobora damages for lost work compensation and marketing opportunities, as well as $2 million for damage to his reputation.
"This monumental judgment cleared my family's name,” Vobora said in a statement. “We stuck together through threats, ridicule, and unfair stigma. Finally vindicated, I'm relieved that I can refocus on football and help the St. Louis Rams get back to the playoffs when the lockout ends. I'm grateful the Rams organization believed in my character through this trying process."Vobora, before taking the supplement, called the NFL’s hotline regarding supplements to make sure everything he was about to ingest was OK by league standards. During his suspension, Vobora lost $90,000 of base salary.
Said R. Daniel Fleck of Vobora’s legal team: “David Vobora vowed to clear his name and he has resoundingly done so. This judgment is believed to be the largest of its kind for any athlete who has been suspended from his or her sport because of a contaminated nutritional supplement. This case should be a warning to all supplement companies to improve their manufacturing processes and ensure their products are steroid-free.”
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