I hate these last-minutes “surprises” at the Super Bowl.

The latest was retiring Baltimore Raven linebacker — and sure-fire first-ballot Hall-of-Famer — Ray Lewis being accused is using performance-enhancing drugs in regards to his comeback from a “season-ending” torn triceps.

I believe it goes back two years.

Here is my issue: why bring it up now? Why not earlier?

To “break a story”? “Get the juices flowing” for the 2-week layover between the conference championships and the Super Bowl?

It is possible for it to be true. What these men put their bodies through in the course of an NFL career — 17 years is a long time to play at this level — is unbelievable; it takes a toll even on high school players, so imagine what it does at that level.

I imagine they need a lot of help.