Hank Steinbrenner says football has bigger steroid problem than baseball
Associated Press
Updated: February 18, 2008, 11:25 PM ET
TAMPA, Fla. -- Hank Steinbrenner insists baseball is being picked on for its trouble with performance-enhancing drugs, and claims the problem is bigger in football.
"I don't like baseball being singled out," the New York Yankees senior vice president said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Monday night.
"Everybody that knows sports knows football is tailor-made for performance-enhancing drugs. I don't know how they managed to skate by. It irritates me. Don't tell me it's not more prevalent. The number in football is at least twice as many. Look at the speed and size of those players."
Answered NFL spokesman Greg Aiello: "We've had year-round random testing with immediate suspensions since 1990 and we conduct approximately 12,000 steroids tests a year."
Steinbrenner's comments came after Andy Pettitte met with reporters for the first time since the Yankees pitcher was named in the Mitchell report. Two days after the report was released in December, Pettitte confirmed he used human growth hormone in 2002; two weeks ago, he told congressional investigators he also used HGH for one day in 2004.
"A lot of baseball people thought that baseball would be the last sport that it would be a problem in and probably just ignored it too long," Steinbrenner said. "But the fact is it's been in football a long time and it's been in basketball, I'm sure. Why baseball is being singled out, I don't know. I don't know. I know all the excuses -- `Well, it's America's game and it's the statistics.'
"That's not an excuse. If a sport is riddled with it, it's riddled with it. Why aren't they looking at the NFL?" he said.
Steinbrenner said baseball will "clean up the game."
Answered NFL spokesman Greg Aiello: "We've had year-round random testing with immediate suspensions since 1990 and we conduct approximately 12,000 steroids tests a year."
If MLB adopted this policy in the early 90's this discussion would not be going on.
On a side note, I am ecstatic at the prospect of Hank Steinbrenner running the Evil Empire. I can't wait to watch Bronx Zoo the sequel!
Bruce has the authority. When Bruce makes the decision, it's a Redskins decision.
And, folks, there is no chance in hell steroids aren't used in football.
I think the NFL gets a pass from most journalists and fans because they have had a strict steroid policy for nearly 20 years. On the other hand, baseball turned a blind eye to the problem long enough that it became a national scandal.
With that said, I agree that steroids are used in the NFL.
Bruce has the authority. When Bruce makes the decision, it's a Redskins decision.
And, folks, there is no chance in hell steroids aren't used in football.
I think the NFL gets a pass from most journalists and fans because they have had a strict steroid policy for nearly 20 years. On the other hand, baseball turned a blind eye to the problem long enough that it became a national scandal.
With that said, I agree that steroids are used in the NFL.
Baseball's mess is of its own making, no question about that
You don't see football players going from 150 lbs to 250 lbs of muscle practically overnight like half of the baseball juicers do...
Sean Merriman disagrees.
And, folks, there is no chance in hell steroids aren't used in football.
Right. When I was a kid, a big lineman was 240-250# with a few at 260. Now TE's are bigger than that. Either the gene pool changed, or they are juiced.
Skins fan since '55
"The constitution is not a suicide pact"- Abraham Lincoln
yupchagee wrote:Right. When I was a kid, a big lineman was 240-250# with a few at 260. Now TE's are bigger than that. Either the gene pool changed, or they are juiced.
Or there are supplements and workout plans and personal trainers and better technology....
yupchagee wrote:Right. When I was a kid, a big lineman was 240-250# with a few at 260. Now TE's are bigger than that. Either the gene pool changed, or they are juiced.
Or there are supplements and workout plans and personal trainers and better technology....
Yes. "Technology" is spelled "Steroids"
Skins fan since '55
"The constitution is not a suicide pact"- Abraham Lincoln
This has baffled me for years…
Baseball is crucifying players while football players get a pass.
We can argue all day long about how prevalent it is in each sport but
just looking at the facts says a lot. Merriman and Harrison both have positive tests on record. Bonds and Clemens don’t…look at the way the media threats them. Can you imagine Bonds or Clemens at the World Series media day? Harrison this year at Super Bowl media day…nothing??
I think the NFL has done a better job at keeping it under the radar. Correct me if I’m wrong, doesn’t the NFL give you two changes before they suspense you?? Also the first two positive tests are kept private and counseling and education are required??
What bothers me most..as a high school football coach it's sad how many of the kids feel you really have no shot at that level unless you use!
"Sean Taylor is hands down the best athlete I've ever coached it's not even close" Gregg Williams 2005 Mini-Camp
