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  (Photograph: Reuters/ Joe Giza)
  Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens linebacker, announced that he would retire after 17 seasons in the NFL.

Ray Lewis, the Baltimore Ravens star linebacker, is the subject of media speculation about his use of performance-enhancing substances ahead of his last Super Bowl appearance.

Lewis, the 37-year-old linebacker, was the subject of a Sports Illustrated article that alleged his use of a substance called deer antler spray provided by S.W.A.T.S.- a two-man company called Sports with Alternatives to Steroids. According to the S.I. report, Lewis spoke with S.W.A.T.S's owner Mitch Ross after tearing his right tricep last October.

Ross told Sports Illustrated that he recorded a conversation with Lewis where the linebacker inquired about receiving deer antler spray, a performance enhancing substance that contains the NFL banned ingredient IGF-1. During their conversations, Ross told Lewis about holographic stickers for pain relief, drinking negatively charged water, and taking deer-antler pills to "rebuild your brain via your small intestines."

"Spray on my elbow every two hours?" Lewis asked, according to Ross' reported conversation.

"No," Ross reportedly told Lewis. "Under your tongue."

Lewis was questioned during the Super Bowl media day about taking any of the alleged performance enhancers during his rehabilitation process, as alleged by Ross in the Sports Illustrated report.

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Lewis called entertaining the story "stupidity" and refused to focus on the matter.

"That was a two year old story that you want me to refresh. I won't give him the credit for his antics," Lewis told the press of Ross' claims. "Every test I've ever took in the NFL there's never been a question."

After serving the NFL with 17 seasons and 13 Pro Bowl appearances, Lewis recently announced his retirement from the professional game. The veteran linebacker will leave the NFL having the most defensive snaps by a 37-year-old in a single postseason.