The widely publicized "THG" designer steroid investigation, and questions concerning the company accused of producing it, have hit the National Football League.
The NFL Today and SportsLine.com have learned that nine current NFL players and one former player -- Raiders Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield, linebacker Bill Romanowski, center Barrett Robbins, running back Tyrone Wheatley, fullback Chris Heatherington, defensive end Chris Cooper and former Raider Josh Taves, Chiefs wide receiver Johnnie Morton, Falcons linebacker Artie Ulmer and Patriots Pro Bowl special teams player Larry Izzo -- have been subpoenaed to testify in the government's probe of Victor Conte.
 | |
| Johnnie Morton downplays the significance of being subpoenaed to testify in the THG investigation.(Getty Images) |
Conte, who founded BALCO, was raided in early September by agents of the IRS and a San Mateo County narcotics task force.
In addition, The NFL Today and SportsLine.com have also learned through player sources that some of these 10 players were tested by the NFL for the designer steroid in question, THG (or tetrahydrogestrinone), marking the first wave of players to be tested for the previously untested product. It is unclear if the results have been returned, but the league says any positive test would result in a four-game suspension.
NFL vice president of public relations Greg Aiello said the league does not comment on testing.
The league began testing the players for THG after they received word from the government that 10 of their players would be asked to participate in the government's probe. It is also imperative to remember that just because a player has been subpoenaed does not mean he has taken the controversial steroid.
"All I've done is get subpoenaed," said the Chiefs' Morton when contacted for this story. "I'm not going in like I'm in trouble. I'm just a witness. All of us are going in are witnesses. I was called in for a witness for the IRS. That's it.
"I've done nothing wrong. Remember, he has a legitimate business, and I've used his supplements, but that's it."
The designer steroid flap burst open when Conte was accused by an anonymous track coach of supplying athletes with THG. Conte has denied he is the source of the previously undetectable drug.
The NFL is allowed to test for such drugs without previous permission of the NFL Players Association. If a substance is illegal or banned, they have the right to test and suspend, much like they did with the club-drug Ecstasy two years ago. Players were unaware the league was testing for the drug and the league began by only testing those already in the NFL's drug program. In fact, it was ecstasy that led to the current ban of former Raiders Pro Bowl defensive tackle Darrell Russell.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said last week it had retested hundreds of samples from track and field athletes after identifying THG, and that several had tested positive during the U.S. track championships in June. The affected athletes now face two-year suspensions.
On Tuesday, track and field's world governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations, said it would retest urine samples from the World Championships in August for THG. Positive findings would lead to retroactive disqualifications and two-year bans.
Major League Baseball said Saturday it will be unable to retest samples taken this year for THG, but plans to discuss with players whether to add it to the list of banned substances.
The NFL players who were on the list given to the NFL insist they have done nothing wrong and that their tests would prove they had nothing to do with THG.
"Our name is on a list," Wheatley said. "That's it. We were called to testify. It's pretty plain and simple."
Conte was also at the center of a drug storm about three years ago.
When four tests before the 2000 Sydney Olympics showed U.S. shot putter C.J. Hunter had excessive amounts of the steroid nandrolone in his system, Conte took the blame. At the time, he claimed the positive tests were the result of contaminated iron supplements he had supplied.
Conte said Hunter, former husband of Olympic sprint champion Marion Jones, took the same supplement used by sprinters Linford Christie and Merlene Ottey -- both of whom were suspended after testing positive for nandrolone.
It's believed the NFL has either begun testing others for THG or will shortly begin. The problem with testing for anabolic steroids is the number of unknown compounds that exist. There are an inexact number of illegal steroids on the market, but the NFL and USOC can only test for a small fraction.
The multibillion-dollar industry aggressively keeps one step ahead of the testers and now many designer steroids are even sold legally in basic supplement stores around the country. Many have their compounds changed slightly to become legal enough to sell over the counter but break down in the body exactly like their illegal anabolic counterparts.
Conte has maintained his innocence, but the probe appears to be just beginning.
More oops on umps
Last Sunday, we reported the league office slapped Bills' safety Izell Reese with a $25,000 fine for incidentally knocking down umpire Mike Quirk, just days after the NFL fined Warren Sapp $50,000 for his dealings with officials. The Bills were irate over the fine and believed that perhaps Reese had no choice but to run into Quirk in order to make a tackle. The Bills might start screaming again this week and could be joined in their anger by the Chargers.
The NFL Today and SportsLine.com have learned the league this week got two more players for incidents with officials last Sunday. The first was to fellow Buffalo safety Lawyer Milloy, fined $25,000 for running into umpire Carl Paganelli. Milloy will likely appeal the fine. They also tagged Chargers safety Terrence Keil $25,000 for the same offense on umpire Scott Dawson in the Chargers' victory over Cleveland.
Fiedler's fee
If Brian Griese steps up Monday night when the Dolphins take on the Chargers, it could spell a difficult road ahead for incumbent Jay Fiedler. Judging by the terms of his contract, a bonus coming this offseason could prevent the Dolphins from keeping him aboard under the current rate.
SportsLine.com has learned that, on April 15, the Dolphins must pick up a $2 million option bonus for their starting quarterback or release him to prevent the hit. In addition, his salary for 2004 jumps to $3.7 million.
Miami protected itself with the structure. If Fiedler didn't play lights-out, they have sufficient cap reasons to release or redo him. If he suddenly turned into a Pro Bowl quarterback, they would have him at a rate Fiedler and the team would likely find quite acceptable.
