Looks like quite a Viking raid. Reports from Fox indicate that the Minnesota Vikings defensive ends -- Pat Williams (94) and Kevin Williams (93)-- may be facing 4 game suspensions for use of the now notorious diuretic bumetanide.
The question would be why so many NFL players decided to use that diuretic to mask something; it is ludicrous to believe that NFL players, in the prime of fitness, need a diuretic. This all hints at widespread NFL doping (what else is new?). To the Daily Norseman:
Well. . .Fox Sports' Jay Glazer has reported that among those "numerous other players" were Pat and Kevin Williams.
Not Pat OR Kevin Williams. . .Pat AND Kevin Williams.
Wonderful.
Now, apparently, neither of the Williams' boys have had their appeals heard by the league yet and, with that being the case, the fact that their names are out there already represents "the most egregious violation of the NFL steroids policy," according to David Cornwell, who has been asked to represent many of the players involved in this incident in the appeal process. I would tend to agree. Cornwell's assertion that the only reason to leak this sort of information would be to harm the individuals involved and to tip the scales of justice is also, in my opinion, the correct one. Until all of the appeals were heard and the official punishments were meted out, anyone that had this information should have kept their mouths closed.
The lawyer is attempting to do what lawyers are trained to do: first attack the issue by questioning the procedure.
It's also quite pathetic that, if these suspensions are upheld, Pat and Kevin Williams will now be placed in the same category as real dopers like Shawne Merriman and Rodney HGHarrison. . .you know, guys that took a drug that actually enhances performance. If I thought for a minute that either Pat or Kevin Williams was actually taking steroids to enhance performance, it would be one thing. . .if that was (or even if that is) the case, they should both be punished.
The Vikings site doesn't get it, but use of the diuretic exactly places these players in the doping category. The drug is masking steroids.
But, come on. . .when you look at Pat Williams, do you immediately think "yeah, that guy's a roid monster?" Honestly, now. . .this is garbage. A couple of other names that have been leaked are Falcons' defensive tackle Grady Jackson (who is on the field today for Atlanta) and Texans' long snapper Bryan Pittman.
From a football standpoint, if the Vikings lose Pat and Kevin Williams for four games, then it's time to start looking for 2009, because I don't see us beating anybody with those two out of the lineup.
I don't even know what the hell else to say at this point, other than this is a bunch of crap and it's going to screw our entire season. Discuss it here. I might be back with more later if something else develops.
The question would be why so many NFL players decided to use that diuretic to mask something
Indeed, this is the big question! There are serious implications IF they all used the same diuretic FOR THE PURPOSE OF masking anabolic steroid use.
It would suggest some sort of organized doping effort within the NFL. That so many players from at least three different teams would use the exact same substance (bumetanide) as a masking agent tells me that somehow (1) they knew that the NFL did not test for bumetanide (at least not up until recently) and (2) they knew how to use bumetanide to mask their PED use.
IF this was the case, then it seems unlikely that 3 different teams would arrive at this knowledge independently.
BUT I think an easier explanation could be a contaminated weight loss drug that was fraudulently spiked with bumetanide (given that at least one weight loss supplement was known to be spiked with this drug).
However, WITHOUT sealed samples of contaminated weight loss supplements to support this scenario, suspicions about steroid use will persist justifiably so.
Posted by: Millard Baker | 10/26/2008 at 22:49
Millard,
Don't you think it is too much of a coincidence for all of these players to be using the same contaminated weight loss supplement? Players should just be forced to stick to the NSF supplements, if they are going to keep claiming that they have spiked supplements.
I am sure there are plenty of Victor Conte types in the NFL, but more low key, who are "performance enhancement specialists". After all these players are not picking up anabolic literature and learning how to dope themselves, someone is behind the scenes.
I really enjoy Meso-RX, by the way.
Posted by: | 10/27/2008 at 02:12
I hate when I get logged out of typepad.
Posted by: Student | 10/27/2008 at 02:12
Are you sure they're using it to mask other drugs? Could it be they are using it to get ripped? There's not much job security in the pros, and I'm wondering whether they feel pressure to look good- it might affect how a coach views their performance.
Posted by: bruno | 10/27/2008 at 14:30
I think it's an incredible coincidence either way - if they are using that same weight loss supplement or if they are using the exact same protocol to mask PED use.
Neither scenario would surprise me. I don't think we should rush to dismiss a "supplement" link just because so many guilty athletes have used that excuse.
Posted by: Millard Baker | 10/27/2008 at 14:37
Are you sure they're using it to mask other drugs? Could it be they are using it to get ripped? There's not much job security in the pros, and I'm wondering whether they feel pressure to look good- it might affect how a coach views their performance.
Posted by: bruno | 10/27/2008 at 14:30
Not for an interior linemen. Most O linemen and D-tackles try to be as heavy as possible without becoming too slow. They almost all have big bellies, and I've even heard they have to eat and be stuffed all the time, so they don't lose weight just from all the intense exercise. Extra weight=leverage. For a D-tackle, Juicing + masking agent makes a lot more sense than a weight loss pill.
Posted by: Carrot Juice | 10/12/2009 at 14:00
I think natural or herbal weight loss pills are safe too use. They don't have side effect.pills like stratzol burn fat in a natural way.Choosing the right pill is important.
Posted by: cochranruss | 10/28/2010 at 01:36