Steroid use is acceptable for NFL players

[Atlas]

Of course it's a former Faider.

UNCONVENTIONAL STANCE

By Sean Webby

Mercury News


Linden King sometimes looks in the mirror at the face of a former Raiders linebacker who used steroids for eight years, a disillusioned high school coach and the father of a mentally ill son.

Looking back is a middle-aged man with bad knees but good intentions who is trying to knot these things together into a whole that can help kids who have a syringe of testosterone and a choice.

King, 49, wants to be part of the growing grass-roots, anti-steroid movement by players and others who have experience with the performance-enhancing drugs. But as a former steroid user, King faces a credibility gap.

How can someone who admits to brazenly breaking the law speak in a way that persuades people to listen?

Kelli White, a world-champion sprinter who was caught using steroids, has been barnstorming the world talking about the dangers of drug use. Although she denies it, some have questioned whether her speeches are calculated to shorten her two-year ban from track and field.

And Balco Laboratories founder Victor Conte Jr. is the defendant in a $25 million defamation suit by the famed sprinter Marion Jones; Conte claims he gave her performance-enhancing drugs. That makes his self-proclaimed effort to tell the world the ``truth'' about steroids suspect.

King's profile is nowhere near as high as those of White and Conte. He has participated in a steroid round table and recently spoke at a news conference organized by state Sen. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo, who is promoting an anti-steroid bill. Towering over the senator and a gaggle of Serra High athletes, King asked for more steroid education and drug testing in schools. But King, who lives in Marin, didn't stick to the traditional script.

For one thing, he says performance-enhancing drug use among pro athletes is acceptable and should be expected.

``People want to see gladiators,'' the 6-foot-5, 245-pound stay-at-home father said. ``And you just don't get that way by eating your fruits and vegetables.''

That, King said, is not cheating. ``It's reality.''

So far, King's non-traditional message is not getting him many speaking invitations. But he says he can be effective as someone who sees the complex problem from many different angles: as a former professional athlete, as a coach and as a parent.

[FADERPROOF]

Steroids aren't acceptable, because they're illegal.

[Pat Bowlen]

Steroids aren't acceptable, because they're illegal.
Well, yeah, but I'd say they're unacceptable because the effect is artificial and undeserved.

[FADERPROOF]

Well, yeah, but I'd say they're unacceptable because the effect is artificial and undeserved.

That as well.

[MajikMan7]

I really don't find anything wrong with steroid use in Football. Just take at your own risk. It's not like baseball were guys on roids are breaking records they just break them selfs (ex. David Boston).

[watermock]

I really don't find anything wrong with steroid use in Football. Just take at your own risk. It's not like baseball were guys on roids are breaking records they just break them selfs (ex. David Boston).

Your entitled to your opinion. The fact is not only do steroids damage the body and reproductive system, they have a nasty habit of making players rather surley. See Romo.

Isn't it all about a level playing field? I can understand that players want an edge, and roids will give you that, but I think that it hurts "clean" players.

I don't need 360 pound monsters out there with blood in their eyes.

If the question of fair play escapes you, then your just not a sports fan.

It's all about an equal field. I don't have a problem with 270 pound linemen, as long and the field is level.

[TheDave]

I'm just too damn tired to get into this...

[Pat Bowlen]

I really don't find anything wrong with steroid use in Football. Just take at your own risk. It's not like baseball were guys on roids are breaking records they just break them selfs (ex. David Boston).
As usual, your opinion is horrible.

[Garcia Bronco]

Where do you draw the line? Techinically it could be said that Gatorade is a performance enhancing drug. If they have performance enhancers that are safe and not illegal...but still enhance performance.......isn't that the same thing? I think it is. The most obvious example is Super Bowl 4....one of the teams cheated the other by taking(not drinking, but taking) Gatorade. So I say...let'em take what they want under the care and supervison of a personal doctor.

[MajikMan7]

As usual, your opinion is horrible.

Like yours is any better.

[Atlas]

If I was to give steroids to anyone it would be to our Navy Seals, Delta Force and Army Rangers. That would actually be a good use for steroids. As long as it was administered under a Dr.s supervision.

[Northman]

Where do you draw the line? Techinically it could be said that Gatorade is a performance enhancing drug. If they have performance enhancers that are safe and not illegal...but still enhance performance.......isn't that the same thing? I think it is. The most obvious example is Super Bowl 4....one of the teams cheated the other by taking(not drinking, but taking) Gatorade. So I say...let'em take what they want under the care and supervison of a personal doctor.


Well, Gatorade isnt hazardous to your health either.

[watermock]

If I was to give steroids to anyone it would be to our Navy Seals, Delta Force and Army Rangers. That would actually be a good use for steroids. As long as it was administered under a Dr.s supervision.

What are we watching here, RoboCop? Aren't we supposed to be the civilized ones?

I don't have a problem with helping wounded soldiers heal using some steroids, it's done alot for spinal injury and other things. I'm not a doctor, but I don't think we need to crank up these kids more than they are. Maybe if we are in a critical situation, but I think we just bring out the aerial phenomnea before we need that. What a wounded soldier needs most is morphine to keep him out of shock before he can be stabilized.

Then mock bombs the crap out of them for hurting him.

[watermock]

Gatorade isn't a drug, it's all natural.

If you don't know the difference between Steroids and Gatorade I'm speechless.

[-Slap-]

I'm just too damn tired to get into this...

Of course you are. You said that crackdowns against steroid abuse would have no effect, yet Major League Baseball is on pace for 700 fewer home runs this season. Hopefully Selig can hammer through the stiffer penalties he proposed and we'll return to the days when a 40 homer season actually meant something.

[-Slap-]

Where do you draw the line? Techinically it could be said that Gatorade is a performance enhancing drug. If they have performance enhancers that are safe and not illegal...but still enhance performance.......isn't that the same thing? I think it is. The most obvious example is Super Bowl 4....one of the teams cheated the other by taking(not drinking, but taking) Gatorade. So I say...let'em take what they want under the care and supervison of a personal doctor.

Has no one figured out that Garcia is just here to **** with people?

:~ohyah!:

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Has no one figured out that Garcia is just here to **** with people?

:~ohyah!:
Has to be, no other possible reason for some of those takes.

[TheDave]

Of course you are. You said that crackdowns against steroid abuse would have no effect, yet Major League Baseball is on pace for 700 fewer home runs this season. Hopefully Selig can hammer through the stiffer penalties he proposed and we'll return to the days when a 40 homer season actually meant something.

At best you will have a one or 2 year dip then the back yard chemist will figure out the newest undetectible tweek... Sory folks but all the money is on the side of the "Cheaters"

[bendog]

At best you will have a one or 2 year dip then the back yard chemist will figure out the newest undetectible tweek... Sory folks but all the money is on the side of the "Cheaters"

Possibly, but imo the effect of testing and a ban is not unlike the chance of getting a speeding ticket or nailed for shoplifting, or even DUI enforcement. I look at tour bicycling as an example. Do the pros cheat? I'd guess yes, in one form or another. But then Tyler Hamilton got nailed. So there is some limiting factor on what the athletes can do. Additionally, I think that logically by drawing attentions to the medical pitfalls, we do see fewer Alzado and Websters, and hopefully now fewer Pharmanowskis.

But, Slap's pt is still well taken in that, even assuming homeruns go up again in two years, that will indicitative of something 'goofy.' I recall having a 'debate' here or on the old dpo board with someone attributing the homeruns to legit training. WAFJ. You look at old pics and footage of guys like Gehrig or Killibrew, and then some a-hole like bonds.

Damn I could use a redbull and a triple shot of vodka, btw.

[TheDave]

Possibly, but imo the effect of testing and a ban is not unlike the chance of getting a speeding ticket or nailed for shoplifting, or even DUI enforcement. I look at tour bicycling as an example. Do the pros cheat? I'd guess yes, in one form or another. But then Tyler Hamilton got nailed. So there is some limiting factor on what the athletes can do. Additionally, I think that logically by drawing attentions to the medical pitfalls, we do see fewer Alzado and Websters, and hopefully now fewer Pharmanowskis.

But, Slap's pt is still well taken in that, even assuming homeruns go up again in two years, that will indicitative of something 'goofy.' I recall having a 'debate' here or on the old dpo board with someone attributing the homeruns to legit training. WAFJ. You look at old pics and footage of guys like Gehrig or Killibrew, and then some a-hole like bonds.

just keep in mind this is a brand new testing policy. Once everyone learns the ins and outs of it everything will return to "normal". The best testing out there is the olympics and people have been circumventing that for decades. just need to give the chemists a chance to catch up and the players time to feel confident in these newer methods.

[bendog]

But testing can evolve as well. It will never eliminate cheating, but it can be a limiting factor. I just recall football in the 70s. They started testing, and it did allow guys like Zimmerman to compete without drugs. Now the NFL program's obviously got holes, but its lightyears better than when there was no testing. The testing will again evolve when the NFLPA's and the owners decide to do something.

[TheDave]

But testing can evolve as well. It will never eliminate cheating, but it can be a limiting factor. I just recall football in the 70s. They started testing, and it did allow guys like Zimmerman to compete without drugs. Now the NFL program's obviously got holes, but its lightyears better than when there was no testing. The testing will again evolve when the NFLPA's and the owners decide to do something.


It has a chance at regulating it for now... but the next wave of "Enhancements" will be near impossible to detect. If anyone is interested the "Expert" in the field is a Dr. Charles Yesalis... in one of his books he discuses some of the new research being done on PED's... his final quote in the book is that soon we will not be able to tell the difference between the Athlete at birth from the what he or she has become.

[bendog]

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/06/08/sports/DRUGS.php

hmm, but if they're altering the athlete genetically, wouldn't a genetic sample taken at one pt in time differ from that of years ago?

[-Slap-]

just keep in mind this is a brand new testing policy. Once everyone learns the ins and outs of it everything will return to "normal". The best testing out there is the olympics and people have been circumventing that for decades. just need to give the chemists a chance to catch up and the players time to feel confident in these newer methods.

The point is that more attention and stiffer penalties have created a measurable deterrent. B*nds predicament shows that supposedly undetectable drugs are not a guarantee against getting caught. Most major leaguers aren't going to risk $1-20 million annual salaries if they believe they might really get banned.

The Olympics are a different animal altogether. Most athletes are going to compete in one Olympiad during their competitive careers and there's no risk of loss of future employment if they turn up dirty. As you know, athletes are stripped of medals at every Olympiad for failing drug tests, so those chemists are far from infallible.

[RaiderH8r]

Where do you draw the line? Techinically it could be said that Gatorade is a performance enhancing drug. If they have performance enhancers that are safe and not illegal...but still enhance performance.......isn't that the same thing? I think it is. The most obvious example is Super Bowl 4....one of the teams cheated the other by taking(not drinking, but taking) Gatorade. So I say...let'em take what they want under the care and supervison of a personal doctor.
Gatorade is a hydrating agent with electrolytes, big whoop. Fine, eliminate gatorade, is water acceptable to you? This is ludicrous. The juice builds muscle mass in an unnatural way. Gatorade keeps you hydrated, it is safe to use and encouraged to use due to it's effects in keeping the body hydrated and functioning properly. Steroids disrupt normal body function. The side effects are not only dangerous for the user but for those around them. It's Jekyll and Hyde with juicers.

[Garcia Bronco]

Well, Gatorade isnt hazardous to your health either.

Niether are some other performance enhancers that people take properly.

[Garcia Bronco]

Gatorade is a hydrating agent with electrolytes, big whoop. Fine, eliminate gatorade, is water acceptable to you? This is ludicrous. The juice builds muscle mass in an unnatural way. Gatorade keeps you hydrated, it is safe to use and encouraged to use due to it's effects in keeping the body hydrated and functioning properly. Steroids disrupt normal body function. The side effects are not only dangerous for the user but for those around them. It's Jekyll and Hyde with juicers.


I understand how they both work....though these go about it in different ways...they both enhance performance. That team that took the Gatorade didn't offer any to the other team.....ergo it's an unfair competitive advantage. And why was it an unfair advantage...because it enhanced performance. Thank you Ladies, Gentlemen, and Slap...I'll be here all week.

[Mr Chatterboodamn]

these roid rage stories are hillarious and obviously (to me) the work of a genius:

http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=31504.0

[RaiderH8r]

I understand how they both work....though these go about it in different ways...they both enhance performance. That team that took the Gatorade didn't offer any to the other team.....ergo it's an unfair competitive advantage. And why was it an unfair advantage...because it enhanced performance. Thank you Ladies, Gentlemen, and Slap...I'll be here all week.
How is Gatorade a performance enhancer beyond the its hydrating properties? Should we also condone the use of methamphetamines in NFL players.

[Beantown Bronco]

My daily flintstones vitamins obviously give me an unfair advantage over my colleagues because I keep them hidden in my desk.

[RaiderH8r]

My daily flintstones vitamins obviously give me an unfair advantage over my colleagues because I keep them hidden in my desk.

Hilarious! I gotta spread the rep. but I owe you one for that.