Dwight Freeney Supports NFL’s Steroid Policy
By Michael Williams (3/8/2007)
NFL have found support for their tough steroid policy from the least expected source. The support has come from none other than Indianapolis defensive end, Dwight Freeney.
Freeney has called for Olympic style testing and suggested that players who test positive for steroids should be made ineligible for any postseason awards which includes the Pro Bowl.
In an interview, Freeney said that is was a shame that players who took performance enhancing substances were awarded and he cited Shawne Merriman as an example. Freeney said that he got to know Merriman during the Pro Bowl and he does not doubt that Merriman is a nice person but questioned the message his selection for an award sent out fans and other players.
Miami defensive end Jason Taylor also has similar views on steroids. He recently won the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award after facing stiff competition from Denver cornerback Champ Bailey and Merriman. Merriman as that point was suspended for four game after failing a steroids test.
The NFL and players association recently agreed to enforce stronger policy with regard to use of steroids to filter out players who took them. As per the new policy, players will be subjected to random drugs tests and this will include more substances. Players found guilty would automatically forfeit a prorated part of the signing bonus besides facing suspension.
However, Freeney did say that there should be some distinction when a player takes a supplement that contains hidden substances. On the other hand, he did accept that a player should be held responsible whether he took performance enhancing drugs or supplements with hidden substances.
Freeney said that NFL has managed to clean itself since 1980s which was the time steroid use was considered to be most rampant. He said that he was not sure how many players were currently using steroids. However, he praised the NFL’s effort to stem performance enhancing drugs and hopes that the league will enforce more stringent punishment in the future. |