Three players are the latest to be named after testing positive for a drug that features on the list of banned substances by the NFL.

Multiple media reports identified the trio of defensive tackles and three players with the New Orleans Saints – running back Deuce McAllister and defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant – as testing positive for Bumetanide.

From Espnstar.com:

The drug is question is a diuretic which can mask the presence of other substances, including steroids.

McAllister said after Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers that he was not surprised to learn of his inclusion on the list, although he insisted he always has tried to play by the rules.

Grant disavowed any knowledge of the report following Sunday’s game while Smith said he did not know the full details of the report and declined to comment on it.

“My initial reaction to it, we’ve been kind of going through this process for a while,” McAllister said. “I guess you guys just found out about it at this point.

McAllister said that a counsel has been hired to do the job as per regulations of the NFL.

Tags: Bumetanide, Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers, steroids, Will Smith

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A Federal Appeals Court verdict has allowed Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings, to play the entire season amidst strong opposition from the National Football League (NFL). The two Williams, not related to each other, were accused of violating the league’s anti-doping policy.

It was remarked by Kevin, after the verdict, that this is a relief for both him and Pat.

From TimesUnion.com:

The fight isn’t over, but a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld earlier decisions from a federal district court — including one that says the remaining legal issues must be resolved in state court. The judge there has issued an injunction prohibiting the NFL from suspending the players, and he has said a state trial during the 2009 season was unlikely.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is troubled by the ruling, which says federal law doesn’t pre-empt state law just because the parties are involved in a collective bargaining agreement.

“It is putting in jeopardy a drug program that has been put in front of the entire world as being one of the highest standards in all of sports,” Goodell said in an interview on WFAN-AM in New York on Friday. “It puts in jeopardy that players in Minnesota in any sport — this could affect other sports — are subject to a different standard than in the other 49 states. You recognize that it is a fairness question for all the athletes.”

Goodell said the NFL was considering its next step, which could include an appeal, a trial in state court, or taking the issue to Congress.

A spokesman and an attorney with the NFL Players Association did not immediately return requests for comment.

The Vikings’ players were not accused of using steroids but were accused of using an over-the-counter weight loss supplement, StarCaps, which didn’t stated on the label that it contained bumetanide, a diuretic that is banned by the NFL as it can mask the presence of steroids.

Tags: anti doping policy, Bumetanide, diuretic, drug program, Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings, Pat Williams, StarCaps, steroids, weight loss supplement

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A Federal Appeals Court has cleared Pat and Kevin Williams, two Minnesota Vikings stars, from playing all season amidst strong opposition to the ruling from NFL. It is worthwhile to note here that NFL was seeking suspension for both these Minnesota Vikings players after finding them guilty of violating the league’s anti-doping policy.

Kevin Williams was quick to remark that both he and Pat are happy to learn that they can play the whole of NFL season.

From TimesUnion.com:

The fight isn’t over, but a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld earlier decisions from a federal district court — including one that says the remaining legal issues must be resolved in state court. The judge there has issued an injunction prohibiting the NFL from suspending the players, and he has said a state trial during the 2009 season was unlikely.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is troubled by the ruling, which says federal law doesn’t pre-empt state law just because the parties are involved in a collective bargaining agreement.

“It is putting in jeopardy a drug program that has been put in front of the entire world as being one of the highest standards in all of sports,” Goodell said in an interview on WFAN-AM in New York on Friday. “It puts in jeopardy that players in Minnesota in any sport – this could affect other sports – are subject to a different standard than in the other 49 states. You recognize that it is a fairness question for all the athletes.”

Goodell said the NFL was considering its next step, which could include an appeal, a trial in state court, or taking the issue to Congress.

A spokesman and an attorney with the NFL Players Association did not immediately return requests for comment.

The two Williams acknowledged using StarCaps, over-the-counter weight loss supplement, which did not come with a label warning that it included the diuretic bumetanide that is banned by the NFL since it can mask the presence of steroids.

Tags: anti doping policy, Bumetanide, diuretic, drug program, Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings, Pat Williams, StarCaps, steroids, weight loss supplement

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Since the blocking of the suspensions of two Minnesota Viking players who tested positive for a banned diuretic substance, Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner, plans to ask congress to create a law that could protect collective bargaining agreements from state law changes.

In his testimony for the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing yesterday in Washington, Goodell expressed his belief that a Labor Management Relations Act is amendment is important and necessary to shield the collectively bargained steroid policies from attack under state law.

NFL suspended Kevin and Pat Williams, 2 Minnesota Vikings players and 2 other Saints players for allegedly testing positive for bumetanide, a banned diuretic. Although the players did not test positive for steroids use, they were suspended because diuretics can mask the presence of steroids in the urine.

However, the players filed a counter case, saying the league violated Minnesota testing laws. Furthermore, the players union also filed a similar lawsuit, supporting the players.

In May, a federal judge dismissed the union’s and the Williamses’ cases, although claims on Minnesota workplace laws were sent back to state court. In September, federal court’s decision allowed the players to continue playing while the case is still in state court.

From Boston:

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell plans to ask Congress for legislation that would protect collective bargaining agreements from state law challenges, like the one that led to blocking the suspensions of two players who tested positive for banned substances.

Tags: Bumetanide, NFL, Roger Goodell, steroids

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The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection will conduct investigations regarding Minnesota Viking players Kevin and Pat Williams on November 3, 2009. That is according to subcommittee representative Karen Lightfoot.

Congress will have to examine closely a controversial Minnesota law that lead to the two Pro Bowl tackles to fight off their suspension and oppose any disciplinary moves by NFL authorities.

The executives from the league and some members of the NFL players association will be called to testify. It is not yet certain of the two Minnesota Vikings will be called as witnesses.

In 2008, the Williamses were suspended after testing positive for the diuretic bumetanide, which was hidden in the weight loss supplement, StarCaps.

However, the Williamses sued the league, accusing them of violating a Minnesota law by suspending them for testing positive for bumetanide.

They sued NFL in Hennepin County and won a US Court of appeals ruling in September 11, 2009.

The NFL players tried appealing to congress to consider a federal law regarding Minnesota’s drug-testing laws, which were considered a loophole protecting players in professional sports drug testing.

The court’s ruling on the Viking’s case also allowed New Orleans Saints players to play even after being suspended due to testing positive for StarCaps.

From Twin Cities:

Congress has scheduled a hearing next week to scrutinize a controversial Minnesota law allowing Kevin and Pat Williams to fight their suspensions in Hennepin County and thwart the NFL’s authority to discipline the Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl tackles.

Tags: Bumetanide, Minnesota Vikings, StarCaps, Williamses

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A federal appeals court has the cleared the way for Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings, to play all season despite strong opposition from NFL seeking suspensions for them for violating the league’s anti-doping policy.

Kevin Williams said that it is a big sigh of relief after knowing that he and Pat can play the whole NFL season.

From TimesUnion.com:

The fight isn’t over, but a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld earlier decisions from a federal district court — including one that says the remaining legal issues must be resolved in state court. The judge there has issued an injunction prohibiting the NFL from suspending the players, and he has said a state trial during the 2009 season was unlikely.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is troubled by the ruling, which says federal law doesn’t pre-empt state law just because the parties are involved in a collective bargaining agreement.

“It is putting in jeopardy a drug program that has been put in front of the entire world as being one of the highest standards in all of sports,” Goodell said in an interview on WFAN-AM in New York on Friday. “It puts in jeopardy that players in Minnesota in any sport – this could affect other sports – are subject to a different standard than in the other 49 states. You recognize that it is a fairness question for all the athletes.”

Goodell said the NFL was considering its next step, which could include an appeal, a trial in state court, or taking the issue to Congress.

A spokesman and an attorney with the NFL Players Association did not immediately return requests for comment.

It is important to note here that the two Vikings are not accused of taking steroids. They, however, acknowledge taking StarCaps, over-the-counter weight loss supplement which did not stated on the label that it included the diuretic bumetanide, which is banned by the NFL as it can mask the presence of steroids.

Tags: anti doping policy, Bumetanide, diuretic, drug program, Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings, Pat Williams, StarCaps, steroids, weight loss supplement

Posted in buy steroids, Steroid Cycles, steroid nation, Steroids and Anabolic Steroids, Steroids in NFL, Steroids in Sports

A federal appeals court has the cleared the way for Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings, to play all season despite strong opposition from NFL seeking suspensions for them for violating the league’s anti-doping policy.

Kevin Williams said that it is a big sigh of relief after knowing that he and Pat can play the whole NFL season.

From TimesUnion.com:

The fight isn’t over, but a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld earlier decisions from a federal district court — including one that says the remaining legal issues must be resolved in state court. The judge there has issued an injunction prohibiting the NFL from suspending the players, and he has said a state trial during the 2009 season was unlikely.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is troubled by the ruling, which says federal law doesn’t pre-empt state law just because the parties are involved in a collective bargaining agreement.

“It is putting in jeopardy a drug program that has been put in front of the entire world as being one of the highest standards in all of sports,” Goodell said in an interview on WFAN-AM in New York on Friday. “It puts in jeopardy that players in Minnesota in any sport – this could affect other sports – are subject to a different standard than in the other 49 states. You recognize that it is a fairness question for all the athletes.”

Goodell said the NFL was considering its next step, which could include an appeal, a trial in state court, or taking the issue to Congress.

A spokesman and an attorney with the NFL Players Association did not immediately return requests for comment.

It is important to note here that the two Vikings are not accused of taking steroids. They, however, acknowledge taking StarCaps, over-the-counter weight loss supplement which did not stated on the label that it included the diuretic bumetanide, which is banned by the NFL as it can mask the presence of steroids.

Tags: anti doping policy, Bumetanide, diuretic, drug program, Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings, Pat Williams, StarCaps, steroids, weight loss supplement

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New Orleans Saints Will Smith and Charles Grant would still be able to play just like the two Viking players.

Grant and Smith have a case similar to that of the Williamsons. They also unknowingly ingested a banned diuretic contained in a weight loss product. The diuretic was known to mask the presence of anabolic steroids.

The NFL may have decided not to suspend the pair after the other two players took legal action, which resulted for their suspension to be put on hold.

According to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in a written statement, the primary goal of the league is to uphold fairness, effectiveness, and integrity of their program.

He believes that the appropriate step to take is to defer the suspensions of the four players while discussions regarding legal options continue with the National Football League Players Association.

According to players, the National Football League knew that the supplement StarCaps contained bumetanide but did not inform the players who were using it.

The league argued that they made the necessary actions according to the testing program. Whatever the players ingested, even if unknowingly, is still the responsibility of the player.

From Washington Post:

The NFL has announced that it will not enforce its four-game suspensions of New Orleans Saints defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith “at the present time.”

Tags: Bumetanide, Charles Grant, New Orleans Saints, NFL, StarCaps, Will Smith

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With no news coming from the NFL about the future of Will Smith and Charles Grant, Saints coach Sean Payton intends to play them in the season opener against Detroit on this Sunday. It is worth noting here that the two players are facing the possibility of a four-game suspension and among a handful of NFL players who have tested positive last year for bumetanide (used to mask steroids and a banned diuretic).

From Timesunion.com:

“We’re waiting to hear from the league,” Payton said. “Right now we’re proceeding with the idea that those two players are playing.”

Payton said he hoped to hear something from the league by Tuesday. Otherwise, he would not expect the suspensions to start until Week 2 at the earliest.

“Generally, (the NFL is) mindful of the preparation time it takes to bring in players to replace them,” Payton said. “I don’t anticipate that being an issue.”

Smith and Grant both practiced Monday. Payton said both looked good. They were not available when reporters were allowed in the locker room at the Saints’ training headquarters.

Currently, the Saints have only two other defensive ends on the roster: Bobby McCray and Jeff Charleston. Anthony Hargrove also played end earlier in his career and began working at that spot when the Saints opened camp, but has spent most of the preseason at tackle.

If the NFL decides to enforce the suspensions soon, Payton said the Saints also could re-sign DE Paul Spicer, who started the last preseason game but was waived Saturday when the roster was trimmed to the regular-season maximum 53.

“He’s someone who has gotten a lot of work,” Payton said. “We’ll stay in touch with him and make sure he’s staying in shape.”

It has been argued by the accused players that their suspensions are improper as the NFL was already aware of the fact that bumetanide had already been detected in the over-the-counter StarCaps weight-loss supplement and it was the NFL that failed to inform the players during a hotline to check if the supplement was allowed to be used.

Tags: banned diuretic, Bumetanide, Charles Grant, NFL, supplement, Will Smith

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According to Minneapolis Star Tribune Vikings defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, also known as the Williams’ Wall, used a banned compound to be eligible for the $400,000 bonus. They will get said reward if they weigh at or below the prescribed weight during several weigh-ins conducted throughout the year.

This information was included in the NFL letter to the Williams’ lawyer in connection with both players’ appeal of their four-game suspensions. More on this from Star Tribune.

The letter was sent by NFL executive vice president Jeffrey Pash on Dec. 2 to Peter Ginsburg, lawyer for the Williams’, denying their appeal of the suspensions. According to the document, the players tested positive “on or about July 26″ and were advised by letter two months later. They appealed, and at their appeal hearing Nov. 20, both players said they took StarCaps “on more than one occasion” the night before a scheduled weigh-in. The supplement contained the banned diuretic known as bumetanide.
According to the letter, both Pat and Kevin Williams get their bonuses if they are at or below their prescribed weight 11 times during the year (eight during the season, three off-season). That weight clause, however, provided that the players “would not engage in any ‘last-minute weight reduction techniques,’ which included ‘use of diuretics.’” Pash also wrote “I accept the representations of both players that they did not use steroids.”

Diuretics, such as bumetanide, have the ability to aid in rapid weight loss by enhancing rapid water loss through urine excretion. Sports organizations like the NFL consider diuretics as masking agents since they can banned compounds such as anabolic steroids by diluting urine.

Tags: anabolic steroids, Bumetanide, diuretics, Kevin Williams, masking agent, Minnesotta Vikings, NFL, Pat Williams, weight loss

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