Panthers on steroids.

[CardinalLaw]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers Todd Sauerbrun and Jeff Mitchell and former player Todd Steussie had steroid prescriptions filled by a West Columbia, S.C., doctor now under investigation by federal authorities, according to a "60 Minutes Wednesday" report.

In a release Tuesday, the CBS News show said the players all had prescriptions for testosterone cream filled within two weeks of the Panthers' appearance in the 2004 Super Bowl.

In addition to the cream, which is banned by the NFL, Sauerbrun -- one of the league's top punters -- also obtained syringes and the injectable steroid Stanozolol, which is also banned by the league.

The prescriptions were reportedly written by Dr. James Shortt, who is the subject of a Drug Enforcement Administration probe for allegedly prescribing steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.

Mitchell, a center, filled a testosterone prescription seven times, while Steussie, an offensive lineman now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, obtained 11 refills over an eight-month period in 2004, CBS reported.

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney has said the team is cooperating with a federal subpoena that sought contact information for several players as part of the probe of Shortt. He has said he is not aware of any of the team's players testing positive for steroids.

Hurney did not immediately return a call from the AP seeking comment Tuesday.

According to a report last month in The State of Columbia, Shortt has been under investigation since May.

In September, authorities raided Shortt's Health Dimensions office and Congaree Pharmacy near the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. State and federal agents seized computer data, at least 21 boxes of patient and medical records and 256 audio cassettes, the paper reported.

The "60 Minutes Wednesday" report also includes an interview with a former employee of Shortt, Mignon Simpson, who says she personally shipped human growth hormone to NFL players and that possibly a half-dozen players received hGH from Shortt.

There is no reliable test for hGH.

CBS said Mitchell and Steussie did not respond to repeated calls and letters seeking comment. The network said that when it contacted Sauerbrun by phone, and asked him about Shortt, the punter said, "I like the guy very much."

Ten minutes later, CBS said, Sauerbrun called back to say he had been confused and that he did not know Shortt.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2025197

 

[Mulli]

Punter on steroids? Hah! If Player ever took steroids, he should get his money back.

 

[NFL_FAN]

I am sure in the coming months we will find players on nearly every NFL team involved in some form of a steroid controversy. Congress will mandate further testing, etc. Let's be real and look at the importance of size in the players today. IMO, up to 30% or more could be using. How is David Boston doing, anyway??

 

[Metcalf Rules]

In a release Tuesday, the CBS News show said the players all had prescriptions for testosterone cream filled within two weeks of the Panthers' appearance in the 2004 Super Bowl.

Damn, this probably will hurt Sauerbrun's chances to get into the hall of fame.

 

[blindseyed]

I am sure in the coming months we will find players on nearly every NFL team involved in some form of a steroid controversy. Congress will mandate further testing, etc. Let's be real and look at the importance of size in the players today. IMO, up to 30% or more could be using. How is David Boston doing, anyway??

I say that's opposite...I'd say 30% might NOT have used and if you want to look at a lifetime. almost every athlete has used some sort of muscle enhancing drug, legal or not, at some point in their life.
Athletes have been doing roids since the early 80's if not sooner, it's just more public now...I personally don't care what they do

 

[NFL_FAN]

I say that's opposite...I'd say 30% might NOT have used and if you want to look at a lifetime. almost every athlete has used some sort of muscle enhancing drug, legal or not, at some point in their life.
Athletes have been doing roids since the early 80's if not sooner, it's just more public now...I personally don't care what they do

I was going conservative. You are probably right! I will get on my soap box briefly. I personally do care what they do because if kids listen to the likes of Jose Conseco, they will think it is fine to use them, then when some of the users eventually die from cardiac arrest or develop other diseases can we say we don't care? I know when my kids are old enough to play I do not want steroids to be acceptable or legal for these types of enhancements. Despite what the many childless people say that it is the parents responsibility to educate the kid and an athelete is not a role model, ask those quality loving parents who have lost a kid to any drug advocated by either an athelete or actor or musician. And when a kid is 18 or 19 on his own and can see the incredible results from shooting up they think the immediate results far outweigh in their minds the long term effects. I guess we will see what becomes of the users and abusers over the coming years.

All just my humble opinion.

 

[CardsFan88]

Hey I wouldn't joke if I were you guys

Hasn't sauernbrun been either tops or top 3 in punting the past few years.....dang punter on roids

Next thing you know the waterboy will be on them so he can lift that 5 gallon orange gatorade on the table....I mean he is only 12 you know

 

[Garthshort]

Steussie

With him involved in the steroids probe and facing probable suspension, doesn't the Bucs need for an OT go up? I would think that increases Shelton's value and would expect Buffalo to try to close the Henry-Shelton trade ASAP.

 

[Southpaw]

... and Julius Peppers, suspended for 4 games for use in his rookie year , wasn't even mentioned. The Peppers who was NFC defensive Rookie of the Year, even though he missed 4 games for suspension. Oh sure, the NFL cares.

 

[blindseyed]

I was going conservative. You are probably right! I will get on my soap box briefly. I personally do care what they do because if kids listen to the likes of Jose Conseco, they will think it is fine to use them, then when some of the users eventually die from cardiac arrest or develop other diseases can we say we don't care? I know when my kids are old enough to play I do not want steroids to be acceptable or legal for these types of enhancements. Despite what the many childless people say that it is the parents responsibility to educate the kid and an athelete is not a role model, ask those quality loving parents who have lost a kid to any drug advocated by either an athelete or actor or musician. And when a kid is 18 or 19 on his own and can see the incredible results from shooting up they think the immediate results far outweigh in their minds the long term effects. I guess we will see what becomes of the users and abusers over the coming years.

All just my humble opinion.

Well, fortunately, you seem like the kind of father that will teach your kids what is right and put more importance on things that matter. You're already making ypurself the best role model for your kids by showing you care. Some paents live vicariously (sp) thru their kids and they feel that pressure to be the best at any cost.
Now make one of your kids extremely fast, we need a CB!!!

 

[NFL_FAN]

Well, fortunately, you seem like the kind of father that will teach your kids what is right and put more importance on things that matter. You're already making ypurself the best role model for your kids by showing you care. Some paents live vicariously (sp) thru their kids and they feel that pressure to be the best at any cost.
Now make one of your kids extremely fast, we need a CB!!!

While I am 6'4" and close to 300lbs, my wife is a mere 4'11" 100lbs. Hard to say what position he will end up playing, could be 5'9", could be 6'. But he is fast!! In spite of my love for football, I think he likes baseball more though Whatever he does, I will be proud!!

 

[JeffGollin]

I'm usually a "live & let live" kind of guy, but there are 4 issues here that concern me:

1. Health (Juice will cause your testicals to shrink to the size of BB's and many users have much shorter lifespans - i.e. remember Lyle Alzado)

2. Kids (People have the right to use stuff that will injure or kill themselves - but putting kids wanting to emulate their "heros" at risk is just plain wrong).

3. Competition (when some guys cheat, other guys are tempted to cheat - and harm their bodies - in order to stay competitive).

4. "Win at all costs" part of the culture. (Parents must be held accountable for living out their athletic dreams through their children and developing what to me is an unbalanced set of priorities about the importance of athletics within the bigger scheme of things).

A realistic conversation with your kids about the danger of self-medication should be considered as important as the one you have with them about the birds and bees.