NFL Players Violate Steroid Policy

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

It appears as many as 10-15 NFL players have tested positive under the league’s steroid policy as a result of taking water pills to lose weight. Water pills. Big deal? Well, the water pills — aka Bumetanide — can also serve as a masking agent for other drugs or steroids. Thus the violation of the steroid policy if you test positive for it.

Bumetanide is a drug belonging to a group of medicines called loop diuretics or “water pills.” Its uses include the treatment of fluid retention and swelling caused by medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, liver disease and kidney disease. Or it might just help you lose weight. New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister and defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant are among the players that have been named as violators. Texas long-snapper Bryan Pittman was also named, but attorney David Cornwell says he’s legit:

“Bryan did everything humanly possible to comply with the NFL steroid policy, including obtaining doctor’s written authorization to take weight loss medication. He did not use steroids.”

So what about the others? None of the Saints player’s agents had responded (and I don’t know what other players were involved). The Saints weren’t talking. And neither was the NFL. Yet. But isn’t this a blatant disregard for the steroid policy’s basis, where a player has a right to appeal and an absolute right to confidentiality? Mr. Cornwell suggested that whoever leaked this story to the media had one agenda — to harm the players.

Note: While I’m on the subject, I think the NFL should reconsider the name “Steroid Policy.” Players caught taking a banned diuretic aren’t steroids users. They’ve violated the policy on anabolic steroids and related substances, but they weren’t taking steroids. It makes them out to be steroid users.

Source: NOLA.com, ESPN.com