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 [...]

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 [...]