(‘Furthermore, I’d like to say that there’s at least a chance that I didn’t do anything wrong, and I am kind of committed to partially clearing my name of most of these possibly erroneous charges.’)

Here’s what’s weird about the statement Josh Barnett made on his MySpace blog this morning with regards to his current steroid-related licensing issues in California: never does he actually come out and say that he didn’t do it.  At best, Barnett implies his innocence.  He suggests that he was surprised to have failed the steroid test, but stops short of saying that it would have been impossible for him to have popped positive.  In a sporting world where we all just expect athletes to vehemently deny steroid use right up until conclusive proof emerges, this is not a good sign.  Check it out and see what we mean:

Many of you are wondering what’s happening.  What I can say is that when applying for my license, the CSAC asked for me to submit a urine sample for testing prior to granting my license as they do with everyone, I believe. It was not a random test. I had no reason to believe there would be any issues and went in to submit my sample at the earliest possible opportunity on June 25th.  I never once thought there would be a problem.

My representatives and I are working to gather as much info as possible and handle this situation as best as we can. I am embarrassed and want for nothing more than to resolve this issue and receive a license from the State of California as I have done many times already and for other states as well.  I am very thankful for all the great family, friends and fans that still support me.

See what we mean?  He never thought there would be a problem.  That could mean a lot of things.  It could mean, for example, that he was sure he had cycled that stuff out of his system by now.  Or it could mean that since he never used steroids he never had any reason to think there was something to worry about.  We just don’t know.

What we do know, however, if we’ve learned anything from all those episodes of “The First 48,” is that when an innocent man is accused he bangs his fist on the table as he declares his innocence and tells you to go fuck yourself.  The guy who’s guilty, or who at the very least drove the getaway car, mumbles something into his lap and asks for a cigarette.  All we’re saying is, Josh Barnett ain’t exactly banging his fist on the table right now.