Made in Cambodia, Made for the NFL

As many of you know, I spent two December weeks in Southeast Asia last month, traveling across Cambodia and Thailand (and a brief stay in Hong Kong) with a number of my classmates on a community service-oriented trip.  I wanted to have a trip-related post ready when I came back, but two weeks of touring rural Cambodian villages, non-profits dedicated to improving the lives of trafficked women and children, and charities focused on bringing modern ammenities to the urban poor didn't spark any brilliant sports-related insights.  I had all but given up on finding something about the trip worthy of posting here, when an avid Caught Looking reader pointed me to this article.

Of the many quirky and interesting products for sale that we came across while traveling through the two countries, the weirdest might have been something called Special Muscle Wine, a Cambodian product that, on its box (yes, it comes in a bottle that comes in a box), says it includes deer antler and other Chinese herbs among its many ingredients.  Though the product said it could help improve one's physique, or something along those lines, we all naturally assumed that the Special Muscle Wine couldn't deliver on its promise - few things in the country of Cambodia do, after all.  But, based on the article I linked to above, it seems like the crafty Cambodians might have something here.

The benefits of deer antler – or more specifically the substance IGF-1 that comes from it – are clear. IGF-1 is banned by everyone.  “It’s one of the proteins that is increased in human growth hormone … it’s considered performance-enhancing,” Danaceau said.  “It’s similar to HGH in that it aids in recovery. It helps build tissue, and strengthen tissue – more than you can ever do by training alone. Any preparation that is not naturally occurring is banned. Taking IGF-1 through deer antler is banned as well.”

So, you're telling me the Special Muscle Wine includes a banned substance that can't be detected through any currently-implemented drug testing technology (no major U.S. sports league is yet allowed to do blood testing, and the IGF-1 can't be found in urine samples) AND is a potent alcoholic beverage?  Where can we find a huge market for under-the-radar Performance Enhancing Drugs that get you drunk?  The NFL of course!  When Plaxico Burress is peddling Cambodian Special Muscle Wine as part of his NFL comeback next season, I want my 10% agency fee.

Replace the Cambodian woman with Plaxico and this billboard's ready for the NJ Turnpike.