Amphetamines Now Banned

The NFL has toughened up its drug policy, adding amphetamines to the list of banned performance enhancers starting with the 2006 season.

Amphetamines were previously listed as a “substance-abuse drug,” but are now in the same category as steroids and other enhancers that carry much stronger penalties. This season will serve as a transition year, where a first positive test would bring a warning and put a player into the drug program.

But in 2007, amphetamines will be tested for on a regular basis. A first positive test will result in a four-game suspension, the same penalty now levied for positive steroids tests. Major League Baseball also started testing for amphetamines this season as part of its steroids policy.

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Seven current and former NFL players have sued the league and its union to recover $20 million they lost in an alleged fraud scheme, claiming the union endorsed the services of an investment firm even though its manager had liens against him.

In a lawsuit filed Friday in U.S. District Court, the players said the league and the NFL Players Assn. are liable for the losses because of investments with hedge fund manager Kirk Wright.

The suit says the union recommended Wright through registration in a union investment program even though Wright and his partner, Nelson “Keith” Bond, had active state and federal tax liens against them. The players also say that the union failed to certify that Wright was properly insured as required by the program, and failed to notify the plaintiffs about those matters.

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Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed agreed to terms on a six-year, $40-million contract extension with the team.