NEW YORK, NY December 18, 2007 —Roger Clemens denied allegations by his former trainer that he took performance-enhancing drugs, calling them "a dangerous and destructive shortcut that no athlete should ever take."

The accusations against the seven-time Cy Young Award winner from his former trainer, Brian McNamee, were contained in last week's report by former Senator George Mitchell. In a statement, issued through his agent, Clemens says he did not take steroids or any other banned substance at any time in his career, or in his life.

He says he's disappointed his 25 years in public life have not earned him the benefit of the doubt. He says he plans to publicly answer all the questions raised by Mitchell's report, quote, "at the appropriate time in the appropriate way."