Let me start by telling you this: I have never used steroids. Period. I don't know how to say it any more clearly than that. Never.

I don't know what else I can say. I have never taken steroids. For people who think I took steroids intentionally, I'm never going to convince them. But I hope the voters judge my career fairly and don't look at one mistake.

I'm very happy for the Contreras family. They're out. Now they've got a chance to experience life the way I did as a kid. You know, his kids are going to have a real chance in life now, and the same way that I had it.

There's a lot of history in Boston and a lot of history, obviously, in New York with all the championships.

But as far as I'm concerned, I can still play defense.

I hope that people learn from my mistake and I hope that the fans forgive me.

I respect the Hall of Fame, and if they think that I'm worthy enough, I would be very honored. And if they don't, I gave it all that I had to this game.