Three Weeks Later, Sports Illustrated Admits It Got B.J. Raji Story Wrong

Three weeks after it reported that former Boston College defensive tackle BJ Raji had failed a drug test -- and two weeks after serious doubt was cast on the report -- Sports Illustrated has finally issued a correction.

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Sports Illustrated reported three weeks ago that Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji "had a positive drug test" at the NFL's scouting combine in February. A correction was posted on SI.com on Tuesday, saying the report was incorrect.

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Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew speaks about the upcoming NFL football draft in Allen Park, Mich., Tuesday, April 21, 2009. The Lions have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft on Saturday, April 25. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Michael Crabtree, a wide receiver from Texas Tech, speaks before an interview at the Associated Press on Tuesday, April 21 2009, in New York. Crabtree dominated college football like few receivers have in two seasons at Texas Tech, scoring more than a touchdown per game. He seemed a lock to be a top-five NFL draft pick until a foot injury interrupted his preparation. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)

** FOR USE AS DESIRED WITH NFL DRAFT STORIES ** In this photo provided by the University of Alabama, Alabama's Andre Smith is shown in action against Louisiana-Monroe during an NCAA college football game on Nov. 17, 2007 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Smith is a top prospect in the 2009 NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Univ. of Alabama, Kent Gidley) ** MAGS OUT. NO SALES, EDITORIAL USE ONLY **

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Detroit Lions fans look at the teams new logo on a helmet in Madison Heights, Mich., Monday April 20, 2009. The team's comprehensive new brand includes a new logo, new uniforms and other branding elements. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) from left, running back Kevin Smith, center Dominic Raiola (51), linebacker Ernie Sims (50) and place kicker Jason Hanson (4) unveil their new team uniforms in Madison Heights, Mich., Monday April 20, 2009. The team's comprehensive new brand includes a new logo, new uniforms and other branding elements. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

The original report, written by Tony Pauline, said that Raji "had a positive drug test" at the NFL's scouting combine in February. Raji and his agents disputed the report, and much of the football media questioned its accuracy. Sports Illustrated took the story off its web site within a week, but the magazine offered a flimsy justification for that move and didn't publish any type of formal correction or retraction until a one-paragraph note appeared at SI.com Tuesday.

The correction reads in full:

An SI.com report posted earlier this month incorrectly stated that Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji's name would appear on the NFL's list of players who tested positive for drugs at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. We regret the error.

Posting a correction was obviously the right thing to do, but questions remain about why SI got this story wrong and why it took so long to correct its mistake. I have attempted to contact Pauline, and he has not responded to my messages. It's a shame that after Pauline and SI were so quick to report this erroneous information, they've now been so slow to accept responsibility.

Ultimately, what makes this matter so serious is that a report like this could hurt a player like Raji's draft stock and even hurt his future earnings, which, when it comes to an NFL player, could turn out to be a multi-million dollar difference. Luckily for Raji, the truth came out before the draft.

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