Tennant Submits Resignation to NFL

Dr. Forest Tennant, who for more than a month has been at the center of controversy regarding his drug-testing methods and credibility, Friday resigned as the NFL’s drug adviser.

The NFL issued a four-paragraph statement here saying Tennant, a West Covina drug-treatment expert, cited his many non-NFL commitments as a reason for his stepping down. Commissioner Paul Tagliabue accepted the resignation, effective April 1.

However, Tennant and the NFL have been under increasing pressure since allegations regarding the handling of the league’s four-year-old drug-testing program re-emerged during last month’s Super Bowl.

At that time, a Washington television station charged that Tennant had covered up positive drug tests for some players and questioned his testing practices. Several publications have looked into the NFL’s program. Among the allegations are: the league conspired with Tennant to suppress some positive tests, and Tennant’s testing methods have been irregular and lacking some basic elements of confidentiality and security.

Tennant, 49, said Friday that resigning is a relief after the criticism he has endured the past seven months.

“The reason for this is simple,” he said. “We’ve built too much in CHP (Community Health Projects, his primary employer) and the NFL for me to be a lightning rod for people who want to attack me. The best thing now is to turn the job over to someone else.”

Tennant has denied all the allegations and said he has been the target of a smear campaign launched by disgruntled former employees.

Tennant said he does not know who will replace him, but said he will be involved in the transition.

“I told the commissioner that I would continue as a consultant,” Tennant said.

In addition to criticism of his NFL work, Tennant was accused by the family of race car driver Tim Richmond of falsifying a drug test that led to the suspension of the late NASCAR driver. Richmond’s family and sealed court documents obtained by a Washington television reporter revealed questionable practices regarding the tests that disqualified Richmond from the 1988 Daytona 500.

Tennant, who at the time was the drug adviser for NASCAR and handled the testing, said Friday that the allegations were untrue.

He said that his biggest problem in four years as the NFL’s drug adviser was his inability to discuss his job with media.

“I know what really happened to Tim Richmond and all these other famous guys,” Tennant said. “But I have to keep sick people’s problems quiet. I’ve had to sit here for four years and not say anything.”

Tennant said Community Health Projects, a group of family health and drug clinics, is working on research for cocaine and drug addicts.

He said that he will refuse all offers to consult sports organizations in the future, although he claims he received three such offers Friday, after his resignation was announced. At one time, Tennant was a drug consultant to the Dodgers, as well as an adviser for professional football and stock car racing.

Tennant said he expected Tagliabue to make minor modifications in the NFL’s program.

“I have no regrets about the past,” Tennant said. “This was not unexpected. I never thought I would stay with the NFL for four years. Any time you are involved with drug detection and treatment you will get a lot of criticism. The person who replaces me will have some of the pressure that I’ve had.”

Tennant said he expects the NFL to put more effort into stopping anabolic steroid use.

“I feel like I’ve done my job in sports,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed it. I will miss the NFL.”

Tagliabue said revisions of the program dealing with testing for steroids would be presented at the annual meeting next month in Orlando, Fla.

“We expect this transitional period to be orderly and effective, and Dr. Tennant will continue to assist in this regard,” Tagliabue said.