Related Stories
Rams LB David Vobora won a $5.4 million default judgment Monday against a supplement provider whose tainted product caused him to fail an NFL drug test.
The company, S.W.A.T.S., sold a product called the "Ultimate Sports Spray" that Vobora used. After applying the spray, Vobora failed an NFL-administered drug test and was suspended four games without pay in the 2009 season. The spray was found to include methyl testosterone, a substance that is banned by the NFL.
Vobora lost more than $90,000 in salary while suspended. A big reason why he received such a large judgment from U.S. District Judge Rodney Sippel was because of lost endorsement opportunities as a former "Mr. Irrelevant."
"This court finds and concludes that plaintiff has suffered both special and general damages," Sippel wrote. "At the time the facts in the complaint occurred, plaintiff was a starting linebacker in the NFL for the St. Louis Rams. Mr. Vobora was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 2008 as the final draft selection, a draft selection commonly referred to in the NFL as 'Mr. Irrelevant' due to the unique 'honor' of being the final pick of the draft. Plaintiff Vobora was the first 'Mr. Irrelevant' to start an NFL game as a rookie since Marty Moore started for the New England Patriots in 1994."
Vobora was awarded $3.04 million for loss of future income, $2 million for damage to reputation, $170,000 for loss of performance bonuses, $100,000 in loss of marketing endorsements and $90,000 in lost salary.