Congressman: NFL's Steroids Policy 'Not Perfect'; Bill Coming Soon
 

And the micromanagement of all sports by our government grows. What a crock of shit. They are getting ready to pass a bill in California that will impliment mandatory steroid testing for all high school students in sports.


Congressman: NFL's Steroids Policy 'Not Perfect'; Bill Coming Soon
Apr 27, 1:00 PM (ET) Email this Story

By HOWARD FENDRICH
WASHINGTON (AP) - The NFL's steroids policy is tough, "but it's not perfect," the head of a congressional committee said Wednesday, adding that he plans to introduce a bill governing drug testing across the spectrum of U.S. sports.

Rep. Tom Davis opened the House Government Reform Committee's second hearing on steroids by saying the NFL had been more cooperative than Major League Baseball was when its drug program was examined publicly by the panel last month.

But saying that all sports leagues must "acknowledge that their testing programs need improvement," the Virginia Republican added that he and ranking Democrat Henry Waxman of California, along with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., are working on legislation to create uniform policies for major sports.

Such an effort would face obstacles in Congress, which has been reluctant to legislate professional sports policy over the years.

In prepared testimony submitted to the committee, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and NFL Players Association chief executive Gene Upshaw said the league is tripling from two to six the number of random offseason tests that players can face.


They also said the league and union recently agreed to add new substances to the list of banned performance enhancers; to put in writing previously agreed-to policies to test for designer steroids; and to lower the testosterone ratio threshold.

"There are numerous issues on which management and labor disagree. ... But there is complete agreement on this: Steroids and other performance-enhancing substances have no place in our game, or anywhere in sports," Upshaw said.

He and Tagliabue sat next to each other and each occasionally jotted notes while some lawmakers criticized the NFL's penalties as too lenient and raised questions about whether amphetamines should be banned.

"Some people might think that this is a fairly weak policy," said Rep. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

While boosting strength, steroids can lead to heart attacks, strokes, cancer, sterility and mood swings; using most steroids without a doctor's prescription for medical purposes has been illegal since 1991.

The NFL began testing in 1987, added suspensions in 1989, and instituted year-round random testing in 1990. Fifty-four players have been suspended.

"The percentage of NFL players who test positive for steroids is very low," Waxman said. "Is this because the policy is working or is this because players have figured out how to avoid detection?"

Tagliabue and Upshaw were among 10 witnesses scheduled to appear, including two doctors who supervise the NFL's testing, and two high school football coaches, one of whom suspended 10 of his players for using steroids.

Gary Wadler, a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency that oversees Olympic drug testing and penalties, knocked the NFL policy for leaving out amphetamines, and he urged the league to adopt blood testing to detect Human Growth Hormone.

In contrast to the March 17 baseball hearing, when several active or retired stars were subpoenaed to testify to much fanfare, only one former player was invited Wednesday: Steve Courson, an offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1978-85. He has admitted using steroids and blames that for a heart condition.

Courson delivered his statement to dozens of empty chairs: Only one member of the committee was present, because others left for a floor vote. Later, when asked by Waxman what percentage of pro football players use steroids today, Courson said: "That would be very hard for me to determine. I've been out of the game for 20 years."

Baseball banned steroids in September 2002 and instituted mandatory 10-day suspensions this season. The National Hockey League does not test players for performance-enhancing drugs, while first-time offenders are suspended for five games in the National Basketball Association.

In the NFL, a first positive test draws a four-game ban - a quarter of the season - and a second gets a six-game suspension. Only two players failed tests twice, and they both retired.

"It's a policy with tough penalties that's getting tougher all the time. But it's not perfect, and that's one of the reasons we're here today," Davis said. "The NFL's testing program has come under heightened scrutiny in recent weeks."

He mentioned a CBS report that a South Carolina doctor wrote steroid prescriptions for three Carolina Panthers in 2003.

If they can mandate steroid testing for high school kids... why couldn't they have started testing for ILLEGAL drugs 10 years ago?!?!?!

I think cocaine is a bit worse than a steroid in the grand scheme of things! fugin pillowbiters!

This whole thing needs to stop. It's not the governments job to be in sports. All major league sports need to get together right now and give the government one great big :moon:

The hearing are on ESPN right now. They were grilling Tags on why that Luis Castillo that was drafted by the Chargers shouldn't be suspended. Go for it! ROFL

I don't know, I watched a bit of it earlier, Tags probably could've handled things better. At first he said there were 54 positive tests with their testing system and no repeat offenders, then when pressed about it was 52-54 were no repeat offenders with the other two retiring after the 2nd positive test, then when asked why there was a huge list of offenders, he said there was actually 111 positive tests but 57 of them were "marginal" players who they asked to retire after testing positive. He told three different stories there.

Agreed! Doesnt' the gov't have anything better to do... you know they are just trying to get on t.v. and grandstand for reelection.

Perhaps these assholes should focus on revising their War on Drugs policy before bothering with this inconsequential bullshit.

If kids were taught anything in school the entire country would be outraged at this abuse of govt. power. If you assholes have this much free time then it's time to make congress a part time job.

Using steriods DOES NOT guarantee you a spot on an NFL/MLB roster.


Since there is a select few that can play the game at this level regardless of height and weight why the fuss about steriods? It's the individuals right to shave a few years off there life.

Its already a police state why T F should all this suprise anyone?

I have no problem with this....

I also think if a HS kid wants to take them they should be prescribed WITH parental consent of coarse.

The BIGGEST problem with roids is alot of the kids that take them don't know what the fug there doing or how to take care of their body while using them.

Major league sports are PRIVATE organizations. Government just needs to keep the fug out! :cuss:

Just one step closer to the "New World Order"....

I agree that most kids have no idea what they're putting in their bodies. Combine this with the fact that you have an invincibility complex as a teen and it's easy to make poor decisions. I knew kids and I'm sure many people on the board know kids too that used all sorts of "supplements" in high school or college sports. Whether that is anabolic steroids, things like creatine or even just popping a bunch of Ripped Fuel before a game.

I don't agree with the government interfering though. It is grandstanding, politicians want the face time to further their own career. Let the NFL regulate itself.

Absolutely the truth. how long before they kick down our doors for mandatory drug testing? Here is a kicker, the ****ing libbies out here want all bullets to have seriel numbers now and are working on passing legislation to do just that. I would never buy another bullet in this state if that passes.

Man there is so much gobment cheese out there waiting to be had...I wonder how many new jobs would be created out of that bill...what would it be called...The bullet inspection department?

Ah....The gobment...

Gotta love it.