Report: 52 NFL Pro Bowl Players Tied to Performance-Enhancing Drugs

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In a scathing indictment of the NFL's policies against performance-enhancing drugs, a San Diego Union-Tribune investigation has documented that 52 former Pro Bowl players have been tied to steroids and related substances.

According to the Union-Tribune, those 52 are among at least 185 NFL players since 1962 who can be tied to PEDs. Union-Tribune staff writer Brent Schrotenboer writes:

With the nation's most popular professional sports league three weeks into a new season – and with several players serving suspensions for positive tests – The San Diego Union-Tribune sought to compile the most comprehensive list to date of NFL players linked to performance-enhancing drugs. It is the NFL equivalent of the Mitchell Report, the much-publicized assessment of performance-enhancing drug use in baseball released last December by former Sen. George Mitchell and mandated by Commissioner Bud Selig. That report had 85 names dating to about 1993.

The full list of players is daunting and, it bears repeating, includes 100 more players than were named in the Mitchell Report. The NFL has generally avoided the harsh criticism that Major League Baseball has received over steroids, but the Union-Tribune's reporting calls into question whether the NFL has gotten a free pass.

UPDATE: Bob Sapp, Star of Japanese MMA, Among Former NFL Players Tied to Steroids.

Links to Performance-Enhancing Drugs

Chargers star Shawne Merriman, who tested positive for nandrolone in 2006, is just one of many, many NFL players who have been linked to steroids and related substances throughout history. According to a new investigation by the San Diego Union-Tribune, there are at least 185 NFL players since 1962 who can be tied to performance-enhancing drugs. Click through to see 29 other notable names that were listed in the report.

Chris Park, AP

Ryan Tucker, Browns, 2007: The offensive lineman was suspended four games for violating the steroid policy, but claimed he only took a banned substance to increase his testosterone and improve his mental health.

Scott Boehm, Getty Images

Todd Steussie, Panthers, 2004: The offensive lineman was given prescriptions for banned substances shortly before the Super Bowl in 2004 and reportedly filled prescriptions for steroids at a South Carolina pharmacy.

George Gojkovich, Getty Images

Todd Sauerbrun, Broncos, 2006: The punter was suspended four games for a positive ephedra test, and reportedly had steroid prescriptions filled by South Carolina steroid doctor while with the Panthers.

Greg Trott, Getty Images

Nelson Munsey, Colts, 1970s: When Munsey sued the NFL retirement plan in 2000, the complaint said he used steroids and amphetamines "consistent with the common usage of such drugs in professional football at that time."

Manny Rubio, NFL

Travis Henry, Bills, 2001: Like many others, the running back admitted he used ephedra before it was banned from the league.

eorge Gojkovich, Getty Images

Tony Mandarich, Packers, 1980s-1990s: According to a report in Sports Illustrated, the NFL bust allegedly confessed to others that he used steroids, but Mandarich denied it.

Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

Ray Buchanan, Falcons, 2002: The one-time Pro Bowler was suspended four games for violating steroid-related policy.

Elsa, Getty Images

Luke Petitgout, Bucs, 2008: Petitgout was suspended four games for violating steroid-related policy.

Getty Images

Shaun Rogers, Lions, 2006: The defensive tackle was suspended four games for violating steroid-related policy. Rogers claimed it was ephedrine in an appetite suppressant he took.

Duane Burleson, AP

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)

9-21-2008 @ 10:44PM

Frederick said...

I hope no one is surprised by the amount of players

9-21-2008 @ 11:34PM

gfunk supreme said...

MDS, nobody cares. Nobody really cared about the Mitchell Report, and nobody cares about this. Pro players use PEDs. Wow. That's extremely important.

9-22-2008 @ 10:15AM

Mike said...

Its VERY important,,,,,especially if your the one sitting the bench or didn't make the team because of some crazed, juiced out guy in front of you that did. Your very naive to think this means nothing. Let your little sister marry one and have some idiot children because of it. There nothing more than cheaters in life. Of course they die years ahead of when they usually would have, but by then, no one is cheering for them any more, and could care less, but hey, they were important for 16 hours a year, for what,,,average 5 years? Oh yeah, thats worth being a junkie. Over half of your idols end up broke, divorced, in jail, there kids want nothing to do with them, etc......

9-22-2008 @ 11:12AM

kenny said...

To: Gfunksupreme,

You made quite an effort to write about something you feel so surely as being unimportant...Seems hypocritical.

9-21-2008 @ 11:42PM

Trogdor said...

There is no doubt that the NFL has gotten off relatively easy in the public relations department with PED's. And no doubt there are many players who've used which weren't named in the report.

However, it is fair to point out that this report goes back to 1962, while the Mitchell Report only goes back to 1993. It also includes mention of amphetamine use, which would implicate entire teams of baseball players in the 60's and 70's.

9-22-2008 @ 6:15AM

Bill said...

and you have PROOF of that.

9-22-2008 @ 6:17AM

Mark said...

Is this really a surprise. Maybe that it was only 152 players named. I would expect a lot higher. Look at the players and the way they are built. It's a shame that this happened and football let them get away with it. It definitely tarnishes the statistics of football. There should not be any comparisons from today's football to football in the past.

9-22-2008 @ 6:42AM

Renee said...

Go Bills!!!!

9-22-2008 @ 7:17AM

Steve said...

BIG YAWN!!!! Who really cares anymore. Do we need another government investigation to waste more tax payers dollars. Enough is being wasted in the freekin' bailout of the lending institutions.

9-22-2008 @ 2:02PM

Harry Bishop said...

For those that don't care - what hasn't been mentioned is that your children and grandchildren will emulate the players. They will also want stereoids and drugs of all kinds, as they strive to match the skills of the pros. As that happens, crime will increase as our youth raises the funds to purchase illegal substances, education will go down hill, and a great percentage of our society will die young, and/or come up with illnesses that can't be cured.

9-22-2008 @ 7:23AM

Bob said...

Why am I not surprised by this.

MICHAEL said...

PERSONALY I SEE NO PROBLEM AND NEVER HAVE WITH PRO FOOTBALL PLAYERS USING STEROIDS. IN THAT PARTICULAR SPORT WHERE CONTACT AND MUSCLE INJURIES ARE COMMON THEY NEED THEM TO HELP HEAL THE MUSCLE FASTER TO BE ABLE TO PLAY SOONER IN THEIR SHORT BUT PUNISHING SEASON. IT'S COMMON SENSE AND WHILE WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY WITH NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT FOR MUSCLE AND MIND I STILL THINK AS OTHERS I'M SURE WHO HAVE ACTUALLY TRIED STEROIDS THAT THEY ARE THEE TOOL OF CHOICE TO FIX MUSCLE STRAINS AND MUSCLE PULLS IN A HURRY. I ONLY BELIEVE THAT THEY (INJURED PLAYERS) SHOULD BE UNDER THE EXTREME CONTROL OF A TEAM OR LEAGUE APPOINTED DOCTOR TO ADMINISTER A MINISCULE AMOUNT TO HELP THEM GET THROUGH THE SEASON. IF THEY GET CAUGHT IN A RANDOM BLOOD TEST THEN THE LEAGUE WILL KNOW WHO THEY ARE AND WHY THEY ARE TAKING THEM.
BASEBALL PLAYERS ON THE OTHER HAND ARE REDICULOUS AND SHOULD NEVER TAKE ANY STEROIDS PERIOD AND THEY SHOULD BE SUSPENDED WITHOUT PAY. BASEBALL IS A PIE JOB COMPARED TO NFL FOOTBALL AND TRAINING. WHILE IT DOES TAKE GOOD SKILLS TO HIT THOSE 90 + MPH BEEBEES THE ADDED POWER AND WIEGHT WILL GIVE SOMEONE THE ADVANTAGE TO CREEP OVER HOMERUNS THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE COUNTED TO START WITH....ALA (BARRY BONDS). NUFF SAID.

9-22-2008 @ 7:27AM

Fr. Duane Johnson said...

When Howard Cosell was dying of cancer, he appeared on the Larry King Show and spoke passionately and eloquently about how big money will inevitably corrupt professional sports in this country. We have seen his words come to pass, but the most horrifying part of this downwardly spiraling saga is not the rampant and unrepetant use of steroids among our millionaire athletes but the dismissive and ultimately nihilistic attitude toward their use among the fans.

9-22-2008 @ 8:21AM

Marshall said...

Big money is corrupting professional sports, and everything else. As someone who builds vans for a living, I get to see quantity become more than quality. As a result, the american consumer doesn't have much confidence in purchasing American products. Its hard to see someone whining about being offered $4million dollars a year when they want 5 Million. Now I will use T.O. for an example. When was with the Eagles, He signed a large contract deal and then the very next season, He whining about how he deserves another contract. The Eagles Owner wound up suspending him for the year. If I was the owner I would have made him play out his contract or commit career suicide because I would have suspended him another year. 2 years out of the NFL and He would've done.

9-22-2008 @ 7:29AM

sonia said...

who cares

Craig said...

This Is The N-F-L !

9-22-2008 @ 7:36AM

Cindy said...

I'm kind of with you Joe. These witch hunts do nothing for the country's moral and image. Not to mention, trying to mess with America's only true pastime left. Besides that, there has been well over 79,000 NFL players since 1962. Under 200 linked to roids... this is a really low percentage! They get tested all the time! It must be the Democrats trying to divert our attention away from the on coming election. hehe

9-22-2008 @ 10:30AM

susan said...

This democrat/republican garbage is getting old, so stick to the subject. The NFL and all the other leagues should be able to investigate these things without the help of Congress. Let's be logical. Steriod use will kill you, if you don't kill yourself and your family first. Just like other drugs, they should only be used under the supervision of a physician for documented medical purposes only. Like any other dangerous drug. It's cheating, and it's wrong, and besides the medical consequences, you're fueling an underground economy and dealing with criminals when you buy these things...there's no quality control and no way to be certain you will be getting what you think you're buying. I just don't understand how an athlete would abuse their body in this way, and if you're caught you should be banned forever from the game.

9-22-2008 @ 7:37AM

Corey said...

Mark, I think you're right about it being suprising that it was ONLY 152 players named. Even without the PED's you can't compare stats from different eras. The rules of the game have changed so much that what we see today bears only a passing resemblence to the game as it was played 2-3 decades ago.

9-22-2008 @ 7:38AM