NFL

NFL can test its own, Tagliabue testifies

By wire services
Published April 28, 2005

WASHINGTON - A law establishing uniform drug-testing rules for major U.S. sports would be a mistake, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue told Congress on Wednesday, while defending his league's steroid policy under questioning from lawmakers who were far less adversarial than during last month's baseball hearing.

"We don't feel that there is rampant cheating in our sport," Tagliabue told the House Government Reform Committee.

Members of the panel questioned whether the size of today's NFL players is evidence of steroid use, they criticized football's penalties as too lenient, and asked whether amphetamines should be banned and when a growth hormone test will be added.

"How is the average American supposed to look at the size, strength and speed of today's NFL linebackers and not conclude that they might be taking performance-enhancing drugs?" asked chairman Tom Davis, R-Va.

Tagliabue countered: "We're certainly not going to jump to the conclusion that because we have larger athletes today there is increased steroid use in the National Football League. I think it's nonsense."

On the whole, congressmen generally praised the NFL for its cooperation, with more than one calling Wednesday's session a "breath of fresh air" compared to the Major League Baseball hearing.

On Wednesday, only two former NFL players were present, and one was Hall of Famer Gene Upshaw, invited because he's the NFL Players Association chief executive.

The other was Steve Courson, an offensive lineman for the Steelers and Bucs from 1978-85. He has admitted using steroids and said they probably played a role in his developing a heart condition.

Courson delivered his statement to dozens of empty black leather chairs; only one member of the committee was present, because others left for a floor vote.

When asked by ranking Democrat Henry Waxman of California what percentage of pro football players use steroids today, Courson said: "That would be very hard for me to determine. I've been out of the game for 20 years."

Even a congressman pointed out the contrast in the witness lists.

"If this committee is serious about investigating steroid use among football players today, well, we should probably start by talking to some of today's football players," Massachusetts Democrat Stephen Lynch said.

Davis promised more hearings and said the NBA will be next. He said he, Waxman and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., are working on legislation that would put sports' banned substance lists and testing protocols under the auspices of the White House drug czar but might leave penalties up to the leagues.

"Let everybody compete under the same rules and the same platforms and that's what an across-the-board policy does," Davis said after the hearing. "I don't know how the public feels about this, but I think members are pretty united on this. It's a huge issue and it needs to be taken care of."

Tagliabue disagreed.

"If we've got to start outsourcing or offshoring our drug programs, then I think we're in trouble," he told Waxman.

"When it comes to process and other considerations, including discipline, we can deal with our own sport better than a uniform standard ... "

Baseball banned steroids in September 2002 and instituted mandatory 10-day suspensions this season. The NHL does not test players for performance-enhancing drugs, while first-time offenders are suspended for five games in the NBA.

The NFL began testing in 1987, added suspensions in 1989, and instituted year-round random testing in 1990. Fifty-four players have been suspended, and Tagliabue said another 57 retired after testing positive. A first offense carries a four-game ban.

COWBOYS: Cornerback Aaron Glenn signed a two-year deal. A day after being released by the Texans, Glenn joined the Cowboys to become their third cover man in passing situations.

JETS: Defensive tackle Josh Evans has retired, ending his nine-year career because of a back injury. Evans, 32, played in just one game in 2004 after undergoing season-ending back surgery.

[Last modified April 28, 2005, 01:19:11]