https://twitter.com/strifeomg/status/1901496357057159650

LeBatard brings up the obvious question. If you're not familiar with him, he had for years the most popular sports radio show and podcast in the country, which was simulcast on ESPN networks, and was also the host and creator of Highly Questionable. Before all of that he was and still is a well respected journalist based out of Miami. He is friends with both Pat Riley and the Heat ownership.

I listened to his show pretty regularly for years. He would often bring up PEDs and LeBron but always cut himself off before saying too much about the golden boy. One got the strong impression that it was basically an open secret. The connections of everyone in LeBron's orbit to steroid clinics is enough in itself, and let's not forget the whole "steroid vacation" debacle.

In high school I knew more than one highly recruited athlete, what did they have in common? Openly admitting to juicing. Kids start this shit early. One thing that has essentially been memory holed is LeBron having a tumor removed from his parotid gland in 2009.


"Possible Links Between PED Use and Parotid Gland Tumors
1. Anabolic Steroids and Hormonal Changes
• Anabolic steroids (testosterone, synthetic androgens) can cause hormonal imbalances that may influence the growth of certain tissues.
• While there’s no strong evidence directly linking steroids to parotid gland tumors, excessive hormone use has been associated with salivary gland hypertrophy and possibly benign growths.
2. Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and IGF-1 Stimulation
• HGH and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are often abused by athletes and bodybuilders.
• IGF-1 promotes cell proliferation, which may increase the risk of tumor development, including in salivary glands.
• Some studies suggest an increased risk of benign tumors (pleomorphic adenomas) or malignancies in tissues affected by IGF-1.
3. Insulin and Other Metabolic Manipulators
• Some athletes misuse insulin or related drugs to enhance muscle growth.
• Insulin and IGF-1 share growth-promoting properties, potentially influencing tumor development in various glands.
4. Chronic Inflammation and Immune Disorders Suppression
• Certain PEDs (e.g., corticosteroids, immune-modulating substances) alter immune function and may contribute to chronic inflammation, which can increase the risk of tumor formation.
5. Salivary Gland Enlargement in PED Users
• Some bodybuilders using HGH or steroids have reported swollen parotid glands, which may reflect glandular hyperplasia (excess growth).
• While this does not directly indicate tumors, chronic stimulation of growth factors in the salivary glands could create a more favorable environment for tumor development over time."


I would bet every dollar I have against a McDouble that he has routinely abused HGH and other PEDs since he was a teenager. Now he is likely cycling in the offseason and doing some sort of advanced blood doping for recovery throughout the season.