I believe Floyd Landis, just like I believe José Canseco: A Poem

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Drugs. Testosterone. Glamor.

Rock and Roll? No.

The after-party at the World’s Strongest Man Competition? No.

Bicycling.

Oh, Floyd Landis.

Felled for impropriety.

Drugs for a sport only the French could love.

Really?

But pretty boy Floyd won’t take the fall alone.

He’s taking an axe to the biggest tree in the forest.

Many have tried before.

But those were french axes. Their thin flimsy heads capable only of felling grape vines and film exposed to unique, depressing, light.

Here’s the thing.

We’ve seen this before.

Another famous athlete undid by his own undoings.

José Canseco.

He admitted using steroids.

Then he pointed at others.

McGwire. We laughed. Palmeiro. “C’mon dude, no way,” we said.

Álex Rodriguez. “That’s crazy talk.”

But Canseco, like Flandis. Was desperate and lacking tangible capital.

Except for the capital of valuable secrets.

I believe Floyd Landis like I believe José Canseco.