NFL’s independent drug administrator reportedly knew of the StarCaps weight-loss supplement containing the banned compound bumetanide but failed to inform the players about this fact.

This has come up during the appeal hearing of three New Orleans Saints players with NFL’s top officials. The testimony of Dr. John Lombardo was disclosed by Atty. David Cornwell via email to the Associated Press. Cornwell is representing Saints’ Deuce McAllister, Will Smith and Charles Grant.

According to Cornwell’s email, Lombardo learned in late 2006 that the StarCaps product contained bumetanide, a loop diuretic considered to be a masking agent for anabolic steroids and other prohibited compounds.

Apparently, Lombardo intentionally omitted the warning because “he feared that a specific warning regarding StarCaps could be used as a defense to alleged violations of the steroid policy that involved weight reduction products other than StarCaps.”

Cornwell, however, said that Lombardo’s decision to not disclose the information that bumetanide was in StarCaps “may have exposed NFL players to the significant health risks associated with the unintentional ingestion of diuretics.”

“If Dr. Lombardo had notified NFL players that StarCaps contained Bumetanide, Will, Deuce and Charles would have never used the product to lose weight,” Cornwell said.

Other players who got implicated with the bumetanide controversy include defensive tackle Grady Jackson of Atlanta and defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams of Minnesota.

The Williamses are also appealing their cases.

Tags: anabolic steroids, Atty. David Cornwell, Bumetanide, diuretic, Dr. John Lombardo, masking agent, New Orleans Saints, NFL, StarCaps pills, steroid, steroids

Posted in steroid nation, Steroids and Anabolic Steroids, Steroids in NFL, Steroids in Sports

Accidental doping is how some may describe the NFL’s latest scandal involving the diuretic bumetanide. But however you put it, the players who got embroiled in it are likely to get a four-game suspension since under the league’s policy the players are ultimately responsible for what they take into their system.

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, however, is hopeful that his players’ can get their suspension overturned via the appeals process. Saints’ running back Deuce McAllster and defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant received a four-game suspension each from NFL for violating the league’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

Payton talked about his players’ case on Sirius NFL Radio.

“I think there are some specific details that possibly can help these guys that will be interesting to see when it all sorts out,” Payton told hosts Peter King and Randy Cross.  “And we’re hopeful, certainly, that again all the facts are out and I think they will have a chance to obviously be heard and we’re optimistic about it.”

Payton is also optimistic that there will be no additional suspension coming his team’s roster.

“I think we’re beyond that right now,” Payton told the Associated Press. “Without commenting on dates or specifics, I’m sure at some point there will be a hearing and there will be a decision made by the league and we’ll go from there.”

Payton said the team’s taking it all in stride.

“The only thing I could control is our roster and our team right now,” Payton said. “I don’t view it as being in limbo. … We look at our roster week by week and we say, ‘Hey, here we go. And let’s prepare to win a game with who’s up and who’s inactive.’

“All the other things will take care of themselves,” Payton continued. “We’ll let the process take it’s course and see where that goes.”

Payton acknowledged though that the temporary loss of his three players is a big liability.
“Anytime you lose a guy that’s been in your lineup on a regular basis, it’s going to be a challenge,” Payton said. “I don’t want to speculate in that specific case with those three players, but obviously it becomes harder than if they were active. It’s like having a rash of injuries all at the same time for four weeks.”

The team is currently training for their game against Atlanta on November 9.

Tags: anabolic steroids, Bumetanide, diuretic, New Orleans Saints, NFL, Sean Payton, steroid, steroid use in NFL, steroids

Posted in steroid nation, Steroids and Anabolic Steroids, Steroids in NFL, Steroids in Sports

According to news reports, New Orleans Saints’ Deuce McAllister and Will Smith were among the several players who violated NFL’s steroid policy and related substances.

Fox 31 television in Denver reported that there are between six to 10 players who have tested positive for Bumetanide, a diuretic. ESPN.com, meanwhile, reported the number is more than 10 and may even exceed 15.

The sport league has not offered any comment on the reports so far, but attorney David Cornwell, who is reportedly handling some of the athletes’ appeal cases, has stated his disapproval about the reports, particularly the naming of the two athletes.

“These men are entitled to confidentiality and entitled to go through an appeal process, so the (Fox 31) report … is completely unfair,” Cornwell said. “The cornerstone of any workplace testing program, especially one in professional sports with high-profile people, is confidentiality.

“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.”

Cornwell refused to name any of his clients or divulge the exact number of the athletes involved.

Just last month, another Saints player Jamar Nesbit was also suspended for violating NFL’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances. Nesbit was barred from playing for four games, and he has rejoined his team’s active roster Monday, October 20.

Bumetanide is a diuretic and this type of compound works by facilitating weight loss through its promotion of water loss via urine excretion. Diuretics are often used as masking agents because they have the ability to dilute urine by increasing renal flow, making it difficult to for laboratories to detect anabolic steroids and other banned compounds. For this reason, diuretics have been included in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s 2007 prohibited list.

Tags: anabolic steroids, Bumetanide, Deuce McAllister, diuretics, football, Jamar Nesbit, New Orleans Saints, NFL, steroid, violation of NFL’s steroid policy, Will Smith

Posted in steroid nation, Steroids and Anabolic Steroids, Steroids in NFL, Steroids in Sports

It is of no wonder why many believe the National Football League is the premier sports organization in the United States which has the most number of players who take anabolic steroids.

Another NFL player has bitten the dust for using these banned compounds. Cincinnati Bengals’ linebacker Darryl Blackstock was suspended for violating the league’s policy regarding anabolic steroids and related substances.

“I’ve apologized to my coaches and teammates for an unfortunate mistake,” Blackstock said. “I did not intentionally violate the policy, but I know it’s my responsibility to use only approved nutritional supplements, and I didn’t realize I was taking an over-the-counter product that included a banned substance. I also want to apologize to our fans, and I’ll do everything I can to be ready to come back strong next month.”

Apologies accepted, disciplinary action imposed. Blackstock has been suspended for four games

Early this month, Dallas Cowboy’s practice squad receiver Mike Jefferson was suspended for the same violation. New Orleans Saints’ Jamar Nesbit, meanwhile, was also suspended late September for same infringement. Both Jefferson and Nesbit received four-game suspension without pay.

The NFL’s statistics on steroid use is also the reason why many don’t believe Tony Mandarich when he denied he had used steroids during his lackluster career in the NFL. Mandarich stated he had only used steroids during his Michigan State days. C’mon, not using steroids while playing in the NFL? That’s like hearing Michael Jackson saying he did not undergo rhinoplasty while visiting his cosmetic surgeon!

Tags: anabolic steroids, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Darryl Blackstock, Jamar Nesbit, Mike Jefferson, New Orleans Saints, NFL, NFL players suspended for using steroids, steroids, Tony Mandarich

Posted in steroid nation, Steroids and Anabolic Steroids, Steroids in NFL, Steroids in Sports

New Orleans Saints Jamar Nesbit received four-game suspension without pay for violating the NFL’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances, the league announced September 23. The suspension is effective immediately.

“My only comment was that I took something that was advertised as being natural,” the Saints’ starting left guard told the Sun Herald. “I looked at it three times. I have to be the one who has to take responsibility for what goes into my body.”

Nesbit, a 10-year veteran lineman, is likely to be replaced by rookie Carl Nicks. Nesbit is expected to return to the team’s active roster October 20.

“We are disappointed in the suspension of Jamar,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said in a statement. “We will support Jamar through this process and look forward to having him rejoin the team soon.”

Tags: anabolic steroids, Carl Nicks, Jamar Nesbit, New Orleans Saints, NFL, steroids, suspension due to steroid use

Posted in steroid nation, Steroids and Anabolic Steroids, Steroids in NFL, Steroids in Sports

It would seem that jealousy played a role in the murder-suicide case of steroid dealer David Jacobs. Jacobs killed Amanda Jo Earhart-Savell last month with seven gunshots from a .40-caliber semiautomatic Glock 22 that Jacobs also turned on himself. The two were reportedly dating each other on and off since last year.

In May, Jacobs got probation in exchange for his cooperation in the federal investigation of his steroid distribution network. Prior to his death, however, Jacobs has provided only a single name for the investigators – Matt Lehr. Lehr is a former Dallas Cowboy lineman and currently plays with the New Orleans Saints.

Why only Lehr, many asked.

Jacobs said he felt Lehr and his lawyer were untruthful about the NFL player’s role in Jacobs’ steroid distribution network. Plus the fact that Jacobs was jealous of Lehr because of the Lehr’s interest with Earhart-Savell.

Earhart-Savell’s family and friends said Jacobs might have found evidence of a budding romance between his girlfriend and Lehr. Jacobs himself had revealed to The Dallas Morning News that he had suspected the two were interested in each other for months.

“She was in love with me, and I loved her,” said Lehr in a recent interview, the first time he publicly acknowledged his relationship with the deceased figure competitor. Lehr, however, still refused to provide any comments on Jacobs’ steroid allegations.
Lehr was suspended in 2006 for using steroids.

Tags: Amanda Earhart-Savell, Dallas Cowboys, David Jacobs, Matt Lehr, New Orleans Saints, NFL, steroids

Posted in steroid nation, Steroids and Anabolic Steroids, Steroids in NFL, Steroids in Olympics, Steroids in Sports