I have to say I'm surprised there hasn't been any discussion about the steroid scandal that temporarily made headlines, but has since, IMHO, been swept under the carpet for most of this year. The topic has been mysteriously quiet.For now, the success of the moment appears to be wishful thinking, head burying, and definitely temporary.
While none of the current players are under suspension for for banned substances, Dr. James Shortt, the alleged banned substance supplier of at least nine current or former members of the team, will be under trial beginning in March 2006. He is up for 43 counts of alleged steroid distribution. We'll likely find out then if this team is legit, or if we should start naming certain players to the All-Steroid Team. Or for you Carolina folks, the All Cobag Team.
Are there some recent headlines I am missing? Why hasn't there been any more noise or questions on the topic? Should the Panthers' success to this point be considered tainted?
If any of you have any current or pertinent information, please post in the comments.
I don't even remember who was implicated, other than their old punter, and he's with the Donko's now.
ReplyDeleteThe NFL certainly did seem to squash this, pretty suspicious, I think the reason nobody was suspended is because they passed their urine tests so there is no evidence of actual use... yet. This trial would provide such evidence if there was in fact steriod use. If it were proven, I'm sure most would consider the Panthers tainted, but it's not like that would make the Bears or their fans feel any better.
Posted by JoSCh
Julius Peppers was one of them, and someone from their oline not named Whale...cant remember the details so take it for what its worth
ReplyDeleteyou mean the suddenly brittle and slow to heal Julius Peppers? who would have thunk it?
ReplyDeletePosted by alba
I don't think steroids are that big of a concern. The doctor who supplied them is no longer there, there is no investigation. Just because a team is doing well doesn't mean they're on 'roids.
ReplyDeleteIts time to put the scandal to rest.
Posted by Alan
damn you and your rational Alan!
ReplyDeletewe were looking to go off on a nice tangent there!
:-)
Posted by alba
Yeah, I know. I'm an asshole. But quite frankly, I don't care if they're on steroids. Look, sports are an antertainment. And you know what makes things entertaining? Huge hits, breaking tackles, and any other amzing plays. In baseball it's a towering home run.
ReplyDelete'Roids are dangerous, and if the athletes are dumb enough to take them, who cares? It's like saying that so-and-so shouldn't have won best actress because she got breast implants and a face lift. I watch to be entertained.
All that said, drugs have no place in high school or college games, but who am I to argue what multi-millionaires do with their bodies?
Posted by Alan
my comment was meant tongue-in-cheek...wasn't calling you out or anything brother!
ReplyDeletePosted by alba
steroids is nothing about physicality in terms of what concerns me (wow i sound smart right now)...these athletes are heros, important pieces of society...kids out there dont worry about contract and such...and for heros to be cheaters is just devastating to the 'cant remember the freakin word that goes here' of sports...
ReplyDeletei know that if I were to find out that Ken Griffey Jr. did steroids during his career, id be absolutely devastated, as he is my favorite human being on the planet (behind God, Mountain Dew, Mariners/Seahawks/Sonics FRANCHISES, and Nirvana overall)...yes, he is even ahead of my family and friends...
Peppers comment wasnt a joke from me, i just remember actually reading it and saying 'crap, my favorite dlinesman in football'
Posted by adp
Not Peppers. Nope, he took a banned supplement that anyone can get at GNC.
ReplyDeleteThe ones I've heard about were Todd Sauerbrun, Todd Steussie, Jeff Mitchell, and Wesley Walls. However, as of now, no one has said they took steroids, only that that asshole doctor suggested it to them. I believe some of the Atlanta Falcons and/or Braves were mentioned in this, too.
The reason you don't hear that much about it is because everyone is too worried about a couple of cheerleaders getting in a fight after having sex with each other in a bar bathroom in Tampa. Seriously, which story would you rather read?
Posted by Yosef
You might want to double check on the Peppers thing. As a Panther die-hard, I remember the scandal but don't recall his name anywhere in it. Maybe you're thinking of his 4-game suspension in '02 for taking a banned substance (his personal trainer was giving him a dietary supplement containing ephedra). Now, he won't drink a bottle of water unless he sees the original seal on it. The only player mentioned in the scandal who is currently on the roster is center Jeff Mitchell, others were P Sauerbrun (now w/ Denver thanks to a DUI and other problems), former TE Wesley Walls and some other lesser names. I'm 99.9% sure Peppers was never included, which just makes his athleticism that much more impressive. Great blog, as a visiting Panther fan its a lot of fun to see what the other side thinks. I've been to Seattle once a couple years back, great city, I absolutely loved it. Enough with pleasentries, though - your Seahawks are going down Sunday!
ReplyDeleteActually, no one in Carolina knows about cobags. That's just a word from 3bulls! I'm the only one from NC over there.
ReplyDeletePosted by Yosef
Actually, no one in Carolina knows about cobags. That's just a word from 3bulls! I'm the only one from NC over there.
ReplyDeletePosted by Yosef
your Seahawks are going down Sunday!
ReplyDeleteUh, Dr. Dobs there, I think the TopCats have proven that it's Carolina that is good at going down!
Seahawks 37 - Panthers 16
Posted by alba
LOL - Well done, Alba - not much I can say there. However, I'm confident that the phrase "going down" will still only be able to apply to our cheerleaders come Sunday night!
ReplyDeletePosted by Dr. Dobson (Lou, KY)
Yosef was right, it *IS* more fun to talk about the TopCats!
ReplyDeletePosted by alba