Has Cushing Hurt The Shield?

With the recent positive test for now former AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Brian Cushing, I can't help but feel, as an NFL fan, a little worried for the future of the league. Throughout the decade, there was one American sports league whose image was shattered in the wake of continued steroid allegations. Many, if not all, all of these allegations have since been proven true and an entire era of players now live in the shadows of their tests. As great as their careers were, they are now remembered more for what they took to reach the milestones than the actual incredible milestones they reached. I speak of course of Major League Baseball, the dirty uncle in the family of American sports. What worries me, as an NFL fan is the Cushing test is just the most recent headliner in a now "group" of positive test around the league. Years ago when players like Rodney Harrison were caught with HGH, it was just attributed to a single player's choice rather than a league wide epidemic. Ironically enough Rodney Harrison was voted the dirtiest player in the league by his peers, which only helped the view that this was a single case and not a league problem. So yea congratulations Rodney, you were figuratively and literally the dirtiest player in the world. As Major League Baseball went through scandal after scandal, the NFL stayed away from the disease that is the "steroid story" and only grew as America yearned for a clean game. Slowly NFL players began to test positive for steroids. Luckily for the NFL, their premier players stayed clear of allegations while special teamers like Jesse Chatman were suspended for steroid use. Jesse Chatman, who is currently a free agent, obviously was not a front page splash thus keeping the NFL out of the steroids gossip and keeping it in the good graces of the public. Major League Baseball hasn't been as lucky as nearly every one of their big name superstars have been attached at one point or another to that evil word: STEROIDS. The NFL shield has been protected for most of these years, but in 2007 when Shawne Merriman was suspended for 4 games for his use, later deemed involuntary, its walls were shaken. Here was the reigning Defensive player of the year attached to that dirty word. Can it really be? Then, shortly after Pat and Kevin Williams of the Minnesota Vikings were linked in a scandal. Both Williams' boys are former pro bowlers and it became evident that their star players were slowly being connected as were Major Leaguers for most of the decade. Of course the recent release of this latest failed test has opened the gates of steroid hell on the NFL. Brian Cushing, as was Shawne Merriman, was a reigning defensive award winner. The difference being, Shawne was the "shocking first" and now this shows a pattern. The AP has since done the embarrassing task of stripping a player of an honor they awarded him with. And don't look now, but the reports say Cushing was suspended for using the same drug Manny Ramirez was suspended 50 games for using last year. The comparison between the 2 leagues has begun, and I don't know if that's a good look for the NFL.