Drug issues not confined to baseball
LOS ANGELES — So far most of the problems that come along with illegal pharmaceuticals in sports have been focused on the game of baseball, but there have been similar problems with athletes from other sports.
For some reason, perhaps because of the traditions and numbers in baseball being so important, much more attention has been paid to baseball’s cheaters.
Major stars such as former Cub Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and current players Ryan Braun and Alex Rodriguez, with their enhanced stats, have diminished or destroyed the records of past greats.
We in the media haven’t addressed the other sports like we could.
Well, that is over because substance abuse is being written about and cheaters will be exposed in all sports, and they should take the same heat as their baseball counterparts.
The poster boy for the NFL is the Denver Broncos Von Miller, who already is in Stage 2 of substance abuse after he was classified Stage 1 in his rookie season in 2011.
What he did wrong in 2011 is still some what unclear, but a second violation in Stage 2 results in a player being suspended for six games, which has occurred with Miller.
The NFL doesn’t like to talk about these things, so we can only guess what is happening. All I do know is this guy had 30 sacks in two seasons, and his suspension will hurt the Broncos since he won’t be able to play until Week 7.
Miller contends there were complications with the test, and ESPN reports that his sample was diluted.
Baseball is being dragged through the mud because A-Rod is appealing his 211-game suspension, but he is still playing. The NFL is no better, since Miller can play in preseason games and maybe knock out a player because his suspension doesn’t start until the regular season.
There have been rumors about steroid abuse and illegal drugs in the NFL as far back as the 1970s. Defensive end Lyle Alzado paid the price for doing illegal pharmaceuticals with his death from brain cancer after telling folks he abused steroids and believed the cancer was caused by the use.
Alzado wasn’t the lone abuser. There are plenty of players who look normal after their careers are over.
There are two possibilities: either they stopped eating or stopped the roids. Just take a look around at some former players to see what I mean.
Yeah, baseball has pharmaceutical issues. But so do other sports, especially the NFL, which has had the issue longer and as bad as MLB.
All I know is Miller will be missed by Denver and the league, but he’s a cheater, pure and simple.
Coming soon:The Mike North Pregame Show starts Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays on WIND 560-AM The Answer.ŸMike North#146;s column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.ADV15972421Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller was suspended for the first six games for violating the leagues drug policy. Associated Press file photoADV