Clemens denies taking performance steroids

HOUSTON, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Roger Clemens denied Tuesday accusations made in the Mitchell Report that he used performance-enhancing drugs.

"I want to state clearly and without qualification: I did not take steroids, human growth hormone or any other banned substances at any time in my baseball career or, in fact, my entire life," the seven-time Cy Young Award winner said in the statement reported by the Houston Chronicle

"I am disappointed that my 25 years in public life have apparently not earned me the benefit of the doubt. But I understand that (former) Sen. (George) Mitchell's report has raised many serious questions. I plan to publicly answer all of those questions at the appropriate time in the appropriate way. I only ask that in the meantime people not rush to judgment."

The report claims Clemens approached former personal trainer Brian McNamee and brought up the subject of using steroids. McNamee claims he injected Clemens approximately four times in the buttocks over a several-week period in 1998 with needles Clemens provided. Each incident reportedly took place in Clemens' apartment in Toronto.