NFL Steroid Policy 'Not Perfect'

House Committee Praises Tougher Testing Policy, But Still May Act

(CBS/AP) 
While boosting strength, steroids can lead to heart attacks, strokes, cancer, sterility and mood swings; using most steroids without a doctor's prescription for medical purposes has been illegal since 1991.

Doctors told the committee that the health consequences are especially serious for young people.

The NFL began testing in 1987, added suspensions in 1989, and instituted year-round random testing in 1990. Fifty-four players have been suspended.

Waxman did give football credit for doing pretty well, Fuss reports.

"The percentage of NFL players who test positive for steroids is very low," Waxman said. "Is this because the policy is working or is this because players have figured out how to avoid detection?"

Tagliabue and Upshaw were among 10 witnesses scheduled to appear, including two doctors who supervise the NFL's testing, and two high school football coaches.

Gary Wadler, a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency that oversees Olympic drug testing and penalties, knocked the NFL policy for leaving out amphetamines, and he urged the league to adopt blood testing to detect Human Growth Hormone.

In contrast to the March 17 baseball hearing, when several active or retired stars were subpoenaed to testify, only one former player was invited Wednesday: Steve Courson, an offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1978-85. He has admitted using steroids and now speaks out against them.

Courson explained the bottom line problem to the committee, reports Fuss. He said steroids make you stronger and provide an advantage. But he also says he has since had health problems he thinks were caused by the steroid use.