I Admit It. I Am On a PED List, Too

I have been writing on Bleacher Report now for almost a full year, and have had a wonderful experience. But I feel I must again bring an honest truth to the community.

I have sinned against the game... or the site in this case.

Back in May, I admitted to using various forms of performance enhancing items in an effort to bring a quality product to this site. From beer to caffeine and nachos in between, I've used them all to gain a competitive advantage when reaching out to readers around the web.

But in recent days, the prospect of my name being leaked in association with another item has become a reality. In response to this possibility, I feel I should come forward and let everyone know the truth before it potentially destroys my legacy as a writer.

I have a problem.

It's not birth control pills (not a simple case of Tab Being Manny).

It's not steroids (Tab Lamar Bamford I am not).

It's definitely not a case of alcoholism (in ten years I won't be seen in ridiculous plaid pants on a gold course).

Friends, I have a problem with Performance Enhancing Insomnia (PEI).

I have to tell you that PEI is no laughing matter, and should not be taken lightly. I wanted to step up to the forefront of this potentially devastating piece of news to expose a terrible problem that faces many writers and fans alike.

I originally dabbled with PEI when I was in high school, but got more involved with it while I was attending Taylor University in Indiana. Despite my grandmother telling me that "nothing good happens after midnight," that's when I found most of my homework was getting done. [NOTE: she was right.]

As my days in college progressed, I found my comfort level with PEI increasing to the point that I didn't even notice my lack of sleep for days at a time. I could pull off consecutive all-nighters without worrying a bit about my performance because I was young. PEI couldn't hurt a guy like me, right?

But I'm not the kid I once was. I didn't know what I was opening myself up to by experimenting with PEI, and now I regret it.

PEI most commonly affects sports fans around certain times of year. Various trade deadlines, extra innings or multiple overtimes (thank you, Syracuse), and the late rounds of major drafts keep many sports addicts up into the early morning hours.

As the world of news evolves, though, and sites like Bleacher Report bring sports action to fans at an ever-increasing pace, it's becoming nearly impossible for those of us afflicted with PEI to shut off the computer and go to bed.

If Sting wanted his MTV, I want my Sportscenter.

Have I mentioned a rain delay is the perfect storm for those trying to avoid a relapse? Those seven o'clock starts that get bumped back to nine because of rain are devastating.

I have been fairly critical of others on this site that may have used performance enhancing substances or techniques to increase their readership. In fact, I have gone as far as to say that, rather than a 50 minutes suspension, they should be banned from the site for an entire day.

Obviously my blindness to my own problem led to my hypocrisy. For that, I am truly sorry.

Moving forward I am going to try to get all of my writing done before midnight (no specific time zone; I need some leverage here). If any of my pieces shows up after 12, I would hope that my fellow members of the community would hold me accountable.

I'm not going to beat PEI in one day (or night), but I am going to try.

Please accept this apology as an effort from me to come to the table and extend an olive branch to others that stay up late at night for sports news. Hopefully my admission can begin a dialogue, and someone, somewhere, will get six to eight hours of sleep tonight.