Amid Fiery Tempest, McGwire’s Rhetoric Boils Down to Protecting the MLB System »
Mark McGwire will no longer discuss his use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone in baseball, so says a spokesperson for the St. Louis Cardinals, according to www.sportingnews.com.
And I say, Thank God. In my 50 years as a Missourian, I cannot recall a public persona capable of tainting this state like McGwire [...]
Tony Mandarich reveals truth about steroids in NFL. Almost. »
So now former football behemoth Tony Mandarich reveals truth about his steroid use? Does he really?
I think Mandarich tells parts of the whole truth, not all of it. Based on early reports, his new confessional book doesn’t fully jibe with me, this old football juicer, not about steroids and HGH. I believe some of what [...]
The early days of steroid testing in athletics »
In late August 1983, doping controversy struck at the Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela, where new urinalysis was unveiled for detecting testosterone levels. The upgraded steroid testing surprised athletes and coaches, and 15 competitors tested positive, mostly weightlifters. Even more athletes withdrew from the games before facing testing, led by a dozen Americans who [...]
Media’s dopey redemption theme ridiculous for baseball »
The faulty redemption theme, a staple of stupid press coverage on doping in American sport, began decades ago with media tales of contrition by athletes coming off steroid suspensions.
In the 1990s, for example, drug-tainted football players cried in familiar refrain when returning to the game: Waa. I used steroids and made a mistake. I’m sorry. [...]
Field of Schemes: public subsidies for major sports »
Finally, America jolts awake over public subsidies for major sports, shaken by notorious Citigroup, the bank receiving $45 billion in government bailout. Before nearly collapsing of toxic assets, Citigroup signed a $400 million naming-rights deal for the Mets’ new baseball stadium on Long Island.
Thus the public pays for naming rights of “Citi Field.” Citizen anger [...]
Rigid denial drives rampant doping »
Denial still frames American perspective on sport doping, and we party on over our games.
And that’s the sure sign nothing is forthcoming to reverse widespread use of anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, and more tissue-building substances in sport.
Muscle doping’s progress continues unabated despite decades of testing, anti-steroid education, blockbuster scandal, public bitching, and politicians’ posing [...]
Who’s using steroids? You’d be surprised. »
Typically, the presumed users of muscle dope are football players, baseball players, sprinters, pro wrestlers and bodybuilders, hunk actors–or the famous faces of headline exposure for anabolic steroids and human growth hormone.
That view is marginal, of course, distorted by media coverage. The popular press largely feeds us celebrity doping, the pop icons caught for juicing [...]
Steroids Were Doctors’ Rx For Football in the ’60s »
Bobby Waters, young quarterback in the NFL, held high hopes entering training camp for the San Francisco 49ers in 1962. The 24-year-old was vying to start in coach Red Hickey’s “shotgun” formation, banking on his athleticism in the run-and-gun offense to win the job. John Brodie and Billy Kilmer also contended at quarterback, but both [...]
Chemical History: Anabolic steroids invade football in the ’50s-’70s »
“I couldn’t understand why [rookies] felt making the pros was so tough, until the veterans arrived. … Two huge guys were standing in the locker room doorway. … Their arms looked as big around as my thighs. I was reluctant to ask them to move aside.”
David Meggyesy, former NFL linebacker, 1970
Contrary to a common [...]
The 1980s: Steroid Juicers Rule NFL Jungle »
“If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out, and it wouldn’t be the f*cking monkey.”
-Lyle Alzado, NFL lineman, circa 1980s
Steve Courson strode into the Pittsburgh neighborhood drugstore, looking huge and menacing in gym shorts and tank top. Other customers gawked at Courson’s massiveness, the muscles bulging on [...]
