Sponsor dumps contrite Carter
increases protein synthesis.
The kidneys excrete creatinine, a by-product of creatine.
A small New Zealand study concluded that Pacific Islanders produce almost twice as much creatine as New Zealand European or Maori. If a man like Jonah was naturally producing loads of creatine already and then massively spiking its levels by taking creatine and ingesting loads of chickens, then his kidneys would be working overtime.
But let’s not talk about that or suicide or degenerative mental disease. Let’s not talk about cutting dead people’s heads open and finding out what sort of brain mush might be inside. Let’s not talk about the high possibility that creatine is wiping out Pacific Islands that are too poor to pay for much-needed research. Instead let’s rely on courageous people like David Briggs to come forward and then turn away and talk to someone else in the room.
Surely we can all be better than that. Dan Carter has lost a lucrative sponsorship with a car company because of his drink-driving charge.
Carter was caught driving in Paris with excessive blood-alcohol levels last week and faces a court appearance.
The fallout now includes glamour car manufacturer Land Rover dumping the All Blacks great who is playing in France’s Top 14 championship.
Carter confirmed the development on his Facebook page yesterday, saying: ‘‘Over the last few days my management and I have had to front up to my sponsors. Not surprisingly, Land Rover, who for good reason have zero tolerance towards drink driving, have ended their relationship with me. I understand this completely and am disappointed I put them in this position.’’
Carter, who is battling a leg injury that has made him unavailable for French club Paris Racing, has returned to New Zealand.
Carter hasn’t dodged the controversy. He used his Facebook page last week to confirm his driving indiscretion and apologise for his actions, admitting he’d made ‘‘a massive error of judgment’’.
British manufacturer Land Rover has a high profile in rugby, being a major sponsor at the last two World Cups, in New Zealand and England. Carter, 34, was part of the All Blacks teams that won both of those tournaments.
His efforts in helping New Zealand to their third title in 2015 earned him World Rugby’s player of the year award.
He retired from international rugby after the 2015 tournament as the game’s highest points scorer in tests, and shifted his focus to Paris with a mega deal at Racing 92.
He had a squeaky clean image until last week’s incident in the 17th district in Paris, near the Champs-Elysees, when he was stopped by police, allegedly speeding not carrying a driver’s licence and recording an alcohol level of .98g/l, well above the legal limit of .5g/l.