BEREA: The banned substance that led to Ryan Tucker's suspension was taken as part of his medical regimen when he fought mental health issues last season, Tucker said Monday.

''In no way was I taking anything to gain an unfair advantage or an advantage on the field of play,'' Tucker said.

He did not argue with the suspension, saying: ''No excuses. It was wrong and I'm totally sorry.''

Tucker was suspended for violating the league's steroid policy. When he was suspended, Tucker apologized, but lamented that his family would suffer ''because it's going to be public and people will make their own assumptions.''

The logical assumption is that a player took a steroid to make himself bigger and stronger, but Tucker said that did not happen.

''I've been in the league 11 years,'' he said. ''Why would I all of a sudden do that?''

The league's policy treats all cases the same, regardless of circumstance. The policy states: ''Players are responsible for what is in their bodies.'' Tucker had not been suspended prior to the one announced Friday, and the league's steroid policy calls for a four-game suspension after the first failed drug test.

Tucker's medical issues started after six games last season. He missed two games due to mental health problems and tried to return, but could not finish the season and missed the final five games.

Tucker was prescribed medication during that time, and he said the medications affected his physical health.

''My blood levels were screwed up, and I was working with a doctor to get the blood levels right,'' he said. ''My thyroid was affected. My testosterone was below 100.

''That's like a little boy.''

Normal testosterone levels in adult males are about 600.

Because his levels were low, Tucker said, he took a banned substance to increase his testosterone.

''I totally understand every aspect of it and why,'' Tucker said. ''It's just one of those things.''

Testosterone is the primary naturally occurring steroid in the body. Synthetic steroids, like stanozolol, are derived from testosterone. Hormone replacement therapies can be given to deal with low testosterone, and can be given via gels, patches, pills or injections, according to medical journals.

Tucker declined to discuss what he took, saying: ''It doesn't matter.'' The league's policy is clear that ''exogenous (externally derived) testosterone'' is banned.

Tucker said he did not appeal because he did not think there was a point since he took a banned substance. But he said it was to regain his health, not to gain an edge on the field.

''This was not about football,'' he said. ''It was about being a husband, a father.''

Tucker also provided a small view of how challenging his circumstances were a year ago, and explained why those challenges were much worse than this year's.

''I went from not knowing who I was to dealing with this,'' he said. ''It's totally different.

''Personally for me and my family, this is not even close to what I went through last year.''

Mental illness affects 22 percent of the population, with eight in 10 able to resume daily activities.

The day he met the media about his suspension, Tucker turned and signed autographs right after his news conference ended. Sunday he did extra running after practice. Monday he took a few reps, but stayed on the field after practice. He then stopped again to sign autographs.

''My bottom line is to get through this and get on with it,'' Tucker said. noweb