NFL Policy on Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances 2007

[RashanGary]

The NFL Policy on Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances

http://www.scribd.com/doc/14066744/NFL-Banned-Substances

Section 3-E states:

“Players are responsible for what is in their bodies, and a positive test result will not be excused because a player was unaware that he was taking a Prohibited Substance. If you have questions or concerns about a particular dietary supplement or other product you should contact Dr. John Lombardo at (614) 442-0106. As the NFL Advisor on Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances, Dr. Lombardo is authorized to respond to players’ questions regarding specific supplements. Having your Club’s medical or training staff approve a supplement will not excuse a positive test result.


Section 8 states:

“The use of so-called “blocking” or “masking” agents is prohibited by this policy. These included diuretics or water pills, which have been used in the past by some playrs to reach and assigned weight. In addition, a positive test will not be excused because it results from the use of a dietary supplement, rather than from the direct use of steroids. Players are responsible for what is in their bodies. For more information, see appendix F.


Appendix F states:

Over the past several years, we have made a special effort to educate and warn players about the risks involved in the use of “nutritional supplements.” Despite these efforts, several players have been suspended even though their positive test result may have been due to the use of supplements. Subject to your right of appeal, if you test positive or otherwise violate the policy, you will be suspended. You and you alone are responsible for what goes into your body. Claiming that you used only legally available nutritional supplements will not help you in an appeal.

As the Policy clearly warns, supplements are not regulated or monitored by the government. This means that, even if they are bought over-the-counter from a known establishment, there is currently no way to be sure that they: a) contain the ingredients listed on the packaging; b) have not been tainted with prohibited substances; or c) have the properties or effects claimed by the manufacturer or salesperson.

Therefor, if you take these products, you do so AT YOUR OWN RISK! For your own health and success in the league, we strongly encourage you to avoid the use of supplements altogether, or at the very least be extremely careful about what you chose to take. Take care and good luck this season.

[RashanGary]

I've been saying this for a while, but it seems pretty clear.

[pbmax]

I've been saying this for a while, but it seems pretty clear.

What is clear is that you are fuzzy on jurisdiction.

[MadScientist]

I've been saying this for a while, but it seems pretty clear.

What is clear is that you are fuzzy on jurisdiction.

There was a lot of press about how StarCaps did not list the banned substance, which generated sympathy for the guilty players. This shows they deserve no sympathy. I highly doubt they threw caution to the wind because they looked up the MN laws and thought the NFL rules would not apply to them.

[RashanGary]

I've been saying this for a while, but it seems pretty clear.

What is clear is that you are fuzzy on jurisdiction.

I understand that State Law allows for the explanation of innocent use, but they agreed that they would be found in violation of their agreement if they took a supplement containing any banned substance, even if the company they were buying from did not disclose all of hte contents.

In normal circumstances, I could see how that might be viewed as, "innocent use", but in this case, because they agreed that it was not innocent use, it's cut and dry.

This agreement did not violate state law in a way that allowed these two to slip out of the agreement they signed and really, the NFL's policy was written tight enough to hold up. I'm very satisfied with the results. The NFL had some minor violations, but nothing that frees these two from the responsiblity they agreed to.

[RashanGary]

When the state law got drug into it, I wondered if maybe something interfered with the NFL policy. I wasn't quite as sure then.

But as far as those two breaking the rule they agreed to. That was never in doubt like many Viking fans seem to think it was.

[pbmax]

I've been saying this for a while, but it seems pretty clear.

What is clear is that you are fuzzy on jurisdiction.

There was a lot of press about how StarCaps did not list the banned substance, which generated sympathy for the guilty players. This shows they deserve no sympathy. I highly doubt they threw caution to the wind because they looked up the MN laws and thought the NFL rules would not apply to them.

I doubt they did either. But not knowing the law isn't an excuse when you commit a crime and its no excuse for a poorly written legal section of the CBA. Its a known factor in labor negotiations across state lines and the NFL blew their chance to get the correct language in there. Tough.

Just because both parties are ignorant of the law does not mean their contract can avoid it.

[pbmax]

Eh, I am just repeating myself



But let me say that "innocent use" (if I understand what you mean by that) hasn't been contested in this case since the first ruling came out:

(7) the league did not violate the Minnesota Consumable Products Act, which protects the use of publicly-available products on an employee's personal time.

The NFL lost on its exposure to State Law (it is applicable) and the fact that for the purposes of the CBA and the Drug Policy, they are the employer. The NFL lost on a late notification of the positive test. And they won on breach of confidentiality (the judge said the Williams' did not reach the preponderance of the evidence threshold).

But most importantly, the league won that monetary damage was not done by the late test, so the suspensions (pending appeals) can take place without further adjudication (to determine damages-edit). But what really chaps my hide is that the league knew about the Bumetanide and did not tell the players or the Feds. And despite having this fact established by the court, the NFL skates on it.

They could have avoided the whole thing by anonymously reporting to the Feds, waiting for the government to release a statement or call for a hearing, and then publicly advising players to avoid it specifically for the reason of Bumetanide. Instead, they sat on their hands.

[Iron Mike]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKG07305CBs

[RashanGary]

I like that the NFL didn't tell the players about it. Maybe once and for all, even the most stubborn of players will realize that the supplement field is sketchy and to avoid it entirely, unless it's on the list. It was just a matter of time before some other ignorant player did it with another drug. Now, I think teams will do a better job educating.

It's like a parent who chases their two year old around until he's 6 or 7, making sure he never bumps his knee, stubs his toe or falls down. You spend all of that energy chasing that kid around, but one day he's on his bike and rides into tree because he's not used to looking out for himself. Protect against the deadly, dangerous things. Minor falls and dings help not only in avoiding future minor falls and dings, but also in avoiding the real dangers. This was a great wake up call for everyone in the NFL. Teams will educate much better. Maybe now players know, what goes into their body is on them and trusting the supplement field is not an excuse. They signed it, agreed to it, but clearly didn't pay attention. Now their attention is had.

[sharpe1027]

I like that the NFL didn't tell the players about it.

Would you feel the same way if someone had a serious health problem (allergy, adverse reaction, ect) resulting from the use of Star Caps?

[pbmax]

I like that the NFL didn't tell the players about it.

Would you feel the same way if someone had a serious health problem (allergy, adverse reaction, ect) resulting from the use of Star Caps?

Shouldn't everyone in your family subscribe to the NFL Drug Policy agreement?

[MadScientist]

I like that the NFL didn't tell the players about it.

Would you feel the same way if someone had a serious health problem (allergy, adverse reaction, ect) resulting from the use of Star Caps?

Shouldn't everyone in your family subscribe to the NFL Drug Policy agreement?

Actually not trusting things sold as a dietary supplement is a good idea in general. Unregulated, uncontrolled crap with false claims of magic health benefits.

[pbmax]

I like that the NFL didn't tell the players about it.

Would you feel the same way if someone had a serious health problem (allergy, adverse reaction, ect) resulting from the use of Star Caps?

Shouldn't everyone in your family subscribe to the NFL Drug Policy agreement?

Actually not trusting things sold as a dietary supplement is a good idea in general. Unregulated, uncontrolled crap with false claims of magic health benefits.

Agreed. But if you found dog food in the kids Flintstone Chewables, I bet you might call somebody beside your lawyer.

[RashanGary]

Actually, it wasn't the NFL drug policy that did this to the Williams duo. The NFL drug policy specifically outlined that the supplement industry is not regulated by the government and cannot be trusted even to contain what it says is in the bottle. They did warn them about all companies jsut like star caps.

What did the Williams' go do? Exactly what the NFL warned them against.


Now that it's over, star caps is busted, but i guarantee there is another one on the shelf somewhere that is doing the same thing.

NFL players can either avoid them or use them at their own risk. There is a good chance the bottle or brand they buy is not tainted, but if it is, they signed an agreement saying they understand they cannot be trusted and will be suspended if it happens.