The History of Steroids in the Nfl

THE HISTORY OF STEROIDS IN THE NFL

Prepared by Matthew Romano

NFL Director of Substance Abuse Policies

Report Distributed December 3, 2011

Prepared for

Adrian Wilson of the Arizona Cardinal

ABSTRACT

This report gives a detailed analysis into the history of the correlation between the NFL and the use of steroids. It was prepared by Matthew Romano, NFL Director of Substance Abuse Policies, in order to properly educate the NFL players of the Arizona Cardinals about the impact of steroid use in the sport of football. In depth, this report underlines; (1) the history of steroids in the NFL, giving specific instances in league history that involved the use of steroids, (2) an overview with detailed information on the league's current policy on the use of steroids, and (3) the health issues that surround the use of steroids and their prolonged affect on users. Also, certain details within the league policy will be accentuated in relation to importance of rules and regulations such as testing policies and disciplinary action. The information gathered for this report has been taken from various official NFL sources, such as espn.go.com, and cbssports.com.

INTRODUCTION

This report is on the correlation between the NFL and the use of steroids, over the past four decades the use of steroids in the NFL has been a prominent factor in the suspension and occasional termination of athletes in the NFL. Since its introduction into the NFL in 1963, 185 players have either admitted to using or have been accused of using steroids over the course of their careers. I will outline the NFL's current policy on the use of steroids and the repercussions of such actions. The Report will end with a description of the health risks that the combination of steroid use and professional football can have on an athlete's body to help depict not only the detriment steroids can do to a career, but also the tremendous affect it can have on an athlete's well being.

THE HISTORY OF STEROID USE IN THE NFL

Steroid use in the NFL was first recognized in 1963 when the AFL champion San Diego Chargers took Dianabol pills, which were issued to the players by team officials. A common misconception of steroids in the NFL is that the athletes were solely responsible for tainting the NFL with the use of steroids. However, in the 1960's and into the early 1970's steroid use was mainly the result of influence from team doctors and officials, who urged players to partake in the consumption of steroids. Beyond influencing the teams, the doctors and team scouts worked together and provided college prospects with steroids in order to prepare them for the NFL. The NFL was becoming more of a Roman Coliseum gladiatorial display than a professional sport. "Drugs, he observed, were shaping modern football's mediated illusion that smacked of comic book characters, gargantuan heroes and villains performing superhuman feats in bloody clashes for victory" (Chaney).

In 1962 the San Diego Chargers finished their season with a measly and insignificant record of 4-10, much to the dismay of the head coach at that time Sid Gillman. The following season Gillman decided it was necessary to put his players through a rigorous training camp, featuring two a day workouts which left the players exhausted, and the issuing of a new "miracle pill" of sorts. The teams strength coach Alvin Roy, who had just been hired, brought with him a tiny bottle of pink pills called Dianabol. Roy told his players that the new approach they were taking would increase their intake of protein and would be like going through two-a-days and lifting weight as well. Roy also explained that the players would be taking Dianabol everyday to increase the results of off-season training. Of course the players and the coaches had no objections to the new approach, because at that time there were no bans on steroids in sports, let alone professional football.

"I still remember his speech, almost verbatim," Mix says. "He said, 'Because you're going to be lifting weights in addition to working out twice a day, you're going to need more protein.' And he said, 'When I was a trainer for the U.S. team in the Olympics, I learned a secret from those Rookies.' And he held up a bottle of pink pills, and he says, 'This stuff is called Dianabol and it's going to help assimilate protein and you'll be taking it every day.' And, sure enough, it showed up on our training tables in cereal bowls."(Quinn)

The Chargers subsequently won their championship game that year against the Boston Patriots, known today as the New England Patriots. The Chargers put up absurd statistics and trounced the Patriots in a one-sided game winning 51-10. For decades the 1963 Chargers would be remembered for their sensational performances. However, when it was discovered that the use of steroids was what gave them their edge, their invincible reputation was tarnished, and their amazing feats of athletic ability explained.

Over the decades following more teams would follow suit in their discovery of the "miracle pill", Dianabol. Throughout the 60's and 70's teams such as the Cowboys, Chiefs, and Raiders all hired Alvin Roy at some point as a weight trainer and team steroid consultant. In 1968, Roy was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs and upon his arrival the team's success in the years to come would lead them to an eventual Super Bowl title in 1970. Following his stint with the Chiefs, Roy was hired by Tom Landry and the Dallas Cowboys. In 1975, the Cowboys would win their first Super Bowl, thanks to the help of their strength coach. Roy Alvin ended his career and life as the strength coach of the Oakland Raiders; while working with the Raiders in the late 1970's, Alvin suffered a heart attack prior to Oakland's Super Bowl win in the year of 1979. No doubt these teams were given an unfair edge; in a time