Repeat NFL Steroid Users May Be Disciplined

The National Football League announced Tuesday that players caught using anabolic steroids a second time could be subject to discipline by Commissioner Pete Rozelle.

However, neither Rozelle’s 15-page annual drug memo nor an NFL spokesman could say what the discipline would be. In addition, under current rules, players are only tested once a season, in training camp.

“Last year we tested the players for anabolic steroids for the first time; this year we are again testing,” NFL spokesman Joe Browne said.

“The difference this year is that we have told the players that they could face possible disciplinary action. However, I am not suggesting suspensions for testing positive for anabolic steroids at this time.”

Rozelle’s drug message this year said that players who test positive for steroids in camp-opening drug tests are subject to the random testing for “reasonable cause,” similar to that imposed on those who test positive for other disallowed substances.

The player will then be re-tested within four weeks. If that test turns up positive, he will then undergo a complete medical evaluation by the team physician and the NFL’s drug adviser, Dr. Forrest Tennant.