NFL Awaits Steroid Ruling

Steve Courson, once a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is permanently disabled by a heart condition he blames on bodybuilding steroids.

The question left for a federal judge to decide is whether the NFL owes Courson a full pension because league officials looked the other way when he took the drugs, as Courson claims.

The issue was brought to U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh during a hearing Friday before Judge Robert Cindrich.

“In reality, the league not only condoned but required use of steroids,” said Courson’s attorney, P.J. Murray III.

The 42-year-old Courson played for the Steelers from 1977 to 1984, when he was traded to Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers cut him two years later after he developed a drinking problem, Murray said.

Courson has said he began taking steroids to bulk up his 6-foot-1, 270-pound frame while at South Carolina. During his peak usage, he estimated he used 56 ounces of steroids a week, allowing him to gain 30 pounds.

“Neither the league nor the players union nor any employee forced Mr. Courson to take steroids,” NFL attorney Thomas Gigot said. “The Steelers and the Buccaneers weren’t prescribing alcohol for Mr. Courson. Not all of these players transition smoothly into another career.”

Courson competed briefly as a wrestler and was hospitalized with a life-threatening heart condition in 1988.

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New Orleans Saint defensive tackle Julian Pittman is in the Leon County Jail in Tallahassee for violating his probation on a 1997 burglary charge, ending a week that began with him playing in his first NFL game.

A judge must decide whether to sentence Pittman, jailed Friday, to prison or to modify his probation.

He could get a 3 1/2-year sentence and he’ll likely lose nearly $170,000 in pay and bonuses. In May, Pittman, 23, was charged with violating the conditions of his probation by buying alcohol for a minor, staying out after his curfew, visiting a bar, drinking and getting arrested on a sexual battery charge.

Saint President Bill Kuharich was waiting to come to Pittman’s defense, but wasn’t called as a witness Friday. He declined to comment on the case, and said it was too soon to say what will happen to Pittman’s career.

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John Friesz will start at quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks today because Warren Moon is still hurting from his cracked ribs.

“Warren is not completely ready to go and I just don’t think it’s worth it to put him out there at this point,” Coach Dennis Erickson said at Kirkland, Wash. “We’ve got a long season left and John has had all the practice turns.”

Moon was injured Oct. 4 at Kansas City but played the first three quarters against Denver the next Sunday before leaving because of the pain.

Jon Kitna will be Friesz’s backup.

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Steve DeBerg, 44, may become the oldest quarterback to start a game in NFL history today when the Atlanta Falcons visit the New York Jets.

Regular starter Chris Chandler is listed as questionable because of a sprained left shoulder and bruised ribs suffered in last Sunday’s victory over the Saints.

Seattle’s Moon is the oldest quarterback to start an NFL game at 41 years and 11 months.