By Matt Valentine
Normally when we talk about doping these days we’re usually talking about a baseball player, a cyclist, or even a horse. Somehow the players of the NFL always manage to fly under the radar when it comes to the controversial issue of steroids.
I guess every dog has its day. It has recently been reported that the Saints Deuce McAllister and Will Smith are among several players that have violated the NFL’s steroids policy. A FOX affiliate in Denver citing an unnamed source stated that there have been between six and 10 positive tests in the NFL for a weight-loss diuretic. However, the station only mentioned the names of the two Saints players who are in London this week for a game against the San Diego Chargers.
Saints RB Deuce McAllister has been accused in a doping scandal.
ESPN citing two unnamed sources has stated that the number is higher somewhere in the range of 10-15 players.
While the NFL and the players teams have yet to comment on the report, an attorney David Cornwell told The Associated Press he has been hired to handle the appeals of a number of players who are facing possible suspensions.
Cornwell has declined to name any of his clients or how many clients he is representing. He did release a statement saying, “The recent reports about pending appeals by players who are alleged to have used weight loss supplements reflect the most egregious violation of the NFL steroid policy. The foundation of the policy is both a player’s right to appeal and an absolute right to confidentiality. By leaking this story, the ‘source’ is clearly attempting to put their thumb on the scale of justice and harm these men.”
Saints DE Will Smith was the other player named int he doping scandal.
A diuretic is used as a masking agent to dilute the urine in an attempt to excrete lesser amounts of any banned substances.
While major sports like baseball and lesser sports like cycling have been hit hard by steroid scandals the NFL has been able to cruise mainly under the radar. The sheer enormity of the games popularity has basically given the NFL and its players a free pass on what has become a hot button issue in sports.
Though news like this is never good for a player as they can face at minimum a 4 game suspension it should have little affect on the day-to-day buisness of the NFL.
We’ll have to wait and see just how many players are really involved in the doping scandal, and how the league will react once all the evidence is taken under consideration.
