Do NFL Players Take Steroids?

Do NFL players take steroids? This is a question that has been asked for years, and it’s one that still doesn’t have a clear answer. While there are certainly some players who have used performance-enhancing drugs, it’s impossible to say how widespread the problem is.

Introduction

The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league. NFL players have been accused of using steroids to gain an advantage on the field. In recent years, some players have been suspended for testing positive for steroids. However, it is not clear how widespread the use of steroids is in the NFL.

What are Steroids?

Anabolic steroids are synthetic (man-made) versions of the hormone testosterone. “Anabolic” refers to muscle-building. “Androgenic” refers to increased male characteristics. Some common names for anabolic steroids are Gear, Juice, Roids, and Stackers.1

Health care providers can prescribe steroids to treat hormonal issues in men, delayed puberty, and muscle loss from some diseases. But some athletes and bodybuilders misuse these drugs in an attempt to boost performance or improve their physical appearance.

The History of Steroids in the NFL

The history of steroids in the NFL can be traced back to the early 1960s, when Dr. John Ziegler, a team physician for the San Francisco 49ers, began experimenting with anabolic steroids in an attempt to help his players recover from injuries more quickly. In 1962, he met with representatives from the Soviet Union, who were using steroids to antler their Olympic athletes, and he began administering them to some of his own players.

While it’s impossible to know how many players were using steroids during this time period, it’s clear that their use was widespread. In 1967, Green Bay Packers All-Pro linebacker Ray Nitschke told Sports Illustrated that “two or three out of every 10 players” were using steroids. In 1970, Washington Redskins defensive tackle Diron Talbert estimated that between 50 and 75 percent of NFL players were using them.

By the 1980s, steroid use had reached epidemic proportions in the NFL. In 1983, Lyle Alzado, then a defensive lineman for the Denver Broncos, told Sports Illustrated that he had started taking steroids in 1969 and that they were “as common as gum on Sundays.” Alzado went on to say that he believed steroid use was responsible for shortened careers and increased injuries in the NFL.

In response to growing public concern about the health risks associated with steroid use, Congress held hearings on the issue in 1989 and again in 1990. At these hearings, several NFL players testified about their own personal experiences with steroids, including Alzado and New York Jets offensive lineman Marvin Powell. Despite this testimony, however, very little was done to address the problem of steroid use in the NFL until 2003.

In 2003, following a highly publicized injectable testosterone scandal involving several high-profile NFL players, including Carolina Panthers linebacker Bill Romanowski and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jamal Lewis, congress finally took action. They passed The Clean Sports Act of 2005 which banned the use of all performance-enhancing substances by professional athletes. The NFL also implemented its own testing program for steroids and other banned substances which is currently overseen by an independent agency known as The National Center for Drug Free Sport.

The Risks of Taking Steroids

Anabolic steroids are synthetic variations of the male sex hormone testosterone. The proper term for these compounds is anabolic-androgenic steroids. “Anabolic” refers to muscle building, and “androgenic” refers to increased male sex characteristics. Some common names for anabolic steroids are Gear, Juice, Roids, and Stackers.1

Health care providers can prescribe steroids to treat hormonal issues, such as delayed puberty. Steroids can also treat diseases that cause muscle loss, such as cancer and AIDS. But some athletes and bodybuilders misuse these drugs in an attempt to boost performance or improve their physical appearance.

Anabolic steroids have serious side effects. Some of these effects can be permanent.

In men, anabolic steroids can:
-decrease sperm count
-shrink the testicles
-cause impotence
-increase risk for prostate cancer
-enlarge breasts4

In women, anabolic steroids can:
-cause masculinization ( changes in hair growth pattern, deepening of voice)
-decrease breast size
-increase facial hair growth
-irregular menstrual cycles3

Anabolic steroid use can also lead to mental health issues such as:

-aggression
-violent behavior

-mood swings ( mania or hypomania)

-delusions (false beliefs)

Are Steroids Banned in the NFL?

All players are banned from using steroids and other performance-enhancing substances, both in-season and out-of-season. The NFL’s steroid testing program is conducted year-round by an independent administrator. Each player is tested once during the offseason and once during the preseason. During the regular season, 10 players on each team are selected at random for testing each week.

Players who test positive for performance-enhancing substances are subject to the following penalties:

First offense: Suspension without pay for four games
Second offense: Suspension without pay for eight games
Third offense: Suspension without pay for one year
Fourth offense: Banned from the NFL

The Consequences of Taking Steroids

Steroids are a hot topic in the world of professional sports. Athletes who use steroids are often praised for their exceptional performance, but there is a dark side to this story that is often ignored.

The use of steroids can lead to serious health problems, including liver damage, high blood pressure, and heart disease. In some cases, steroid use can even be fatal. In addition to the physical health risks, steroids can also have a negative impact on mental health. Steroids can cause aggressive behavior, mood swings, and paranoia.

Athletes who use steroids also put themselves at risk of being caught and suspended from their sport. In the NFL, for example, players who test positive for steroids are subject to a four-game suspension. A second offense results in a eight-game suspension, and a third offense results in a year-long ban from the league.

The consequences of taking steroids are serious and should not be taken lightly. If you are considering using steroids, we urge you to speak with a doctor or other medical professional first to get all the facts about the risks involved.

Conclusion

After hours of research, we have come to the conclusion that NFL players are not likely to be taking steroids. There are a number of reasons for this, including the fact that there is no evidence that steroid use is widespread in the NFL, and the fact that it would be very difficult for players to get their hands on steroids without detection. Nevertheless, we cannot say definitively that no NFL players are taking steroids, so if you have any concerns about this issue, you should speak to your doctor.