After a three-month investigation, the Sporting News published an exposé—titled "How Urban Meyer broke Florida football"—suggesting that Meyer had created a toxic culture in the locker room at Florida and departed just before implosion. The article quoted several Florida players who declared that Meyer developed a "Circle of Trust" that included only star players, and that those players received favorable treatment, including not having to complete workouts, lenient punishment, and hiding the player's positive drug tests from the public. Although Meyer stated: "I've never heard of Circle of Trust before in my life," former players contend it was the foundation of Florida's culture under Meyer.