Nunn Says He Just Forgot to List Flu Medicine When He Went for Drug Test

Not unlike a lot of other San Diegans without Holiday Bowl tickets, Clarence Nunn watched the game on a two-hour televised delay Tuesday night.

It wasn’t supposed to be that way. Nunn was to be a starting cornerback for SDSU during its first bowl game in 17 years.

During NCAA drug testing on Dec. 9, he tested positive for methylamphetamines from using an inhaler. The Aztecs appealed his suspension due to “extenuating circumstances,” but their appeal was denied by the NCAA hours before the Holiday Bowl.

“When I came in yesterday and was told I couldn’t play, I was down,” Nunn said Wednesday. “I got sad and mad. Then I went over with some close friends and watched my buddy, Gaston Green of UCLA, run over BYU (in the Freedom Bowl.)”

Nunn held a news conference Wednesday morning with SDSU Athletic Director Fred Miller and trainer Don Kaverman.

According to Nunn, he was suffering from the flu when SDSU’s drug testing took place and was using an over-the-counter inhaler, nonprescription cold remedies and an antibiotic and muscle relaxant prescribed by a doctor.

Before the drug tests were taken, each player filled out a list of medication he was taking. Nunn said he waited two hours before being tested and forgot to list every medication he was on.

“It’s clear what happened,” said Jim Marchiony, the NCAA’s director of media services. “His specimen was tested positive. We reported to San Diego State what he tested positive for. They said test his B specimen. We tested his B specimen, and we told them he still tested positive for this.

“After he knew he tested positive, he said he forgot to tell us something he had taken. Coincidentally, what he said after the fact that he took, contains the substance he tested positive for.”

Said Nunn: “I can see their side. It’s a new system. I feel if they reversed my situation, everyone would question how they are running things. I think if I had put it (the inhaler) on my form, they still would have said it was in my system and I’d still be out (of the bowl game).”

In retrospect, Nunn says he should have listed the inhaler.

“I had no idea a Vicks inhaler would be positive,” he said. “I think they should be more flexible in the way they view cases, mine in particular. I want to clear my name and let everyone know I am not a drug abuser of any type.”

Kaverman says he had several conversations with medical authorities that confirmed Nunn could have tested positive for methylamphetamines by using an inhaler.

“We don’t dispute the fact there were methylamphetamines in his system,” Kaverman said. “We’re saying they got there through an innocent use of an inhaler, not from using performance enhancing substances.”

SDSU officials were informed Dec. 24 that Nunn and wide receiver Anthony Conyers had tested positive for drugs. After consulting with Nunn, Kaverman concluded the positive result may, indeed, have been from the inhaler.

The Aztecs immediately appealed to the NCAA, hoping to restore Nunn’s eligibility.

“There has to be a reasonable appeals process,” Miller said. “It’s our firm belief that even though Clarence tested positive, he did so innocently by taking an over-the-counter drug. In our judgment, this young guy is clean. We don’t want this taint to be on him.”