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Posted on Wed, Apr. 13, 2005
Northwestern's Castillo admits steroid use
DAVE GOLDBERG
Associated Press
NEW YORK - Northwestern defensive tackle Luis Castillo has admitted to taking steroids after the 2004 season.
A football source told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday that Castillo tested positive for androstenedione, which is considered a steroid by the NFL. Castillo, considered a likely first-day draft pick - but not a first-rounder - also sent a letter to the 32 NFL teams alerting them of the situation.
Castillo failed the drug test at Feburary's NFL combine in Indianapolis. He said he took the drug to help his performance at the combine after he was slow to heal from an elbow injury.
The story was first reported by ESPN.com.
The NFL does not comment on drug tests. Under the terms of its steroids policy, Castillo is subject to reasonable-cause testing while in the league, meaning he could be tested up to 24 times a year.
Northwestern coach Randy Walker also sent a letter to the NFL teams in which he said Castillo never failed a drug test at the school.
A statement was released by Northwestern athletic director Mark Murphy, a former NFL player:
"For several years, Northwestern has had a comprehensive educational, preventive testing policy for alcohol and other drugs. Rare positive tests are dealt with quickly through education, counseling and mandatory suspension. Our testing policy far exceeds guidelines established by the NCAA."
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