Comments on: Rams linebacker Vobora suspended four games

By: The Sage

The Sage — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:50:04 +0000

There is a BIG difference between products being on the banned list and products on the APPROVED list.
The banned list consists of products known to violate the drug policy.
The approved list consists of products known to comply with the drug policy. These companies go through extra efforts to prove they comply and get the seal of approval.
The rest of the products are in the grey area. Players take these products at their own risk. The FDA does not police them and neither does the NFLPA. If players do not want to assume this risk, they are advised to only take supplements from the approved list.
As for StarCaps, the league should have put it on the banned list the second they knew that it was tainted and that is why that is a different situation entirely.

By: JimmySmith

JimmySmith — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:55:00 +0000

If he were playing for the Biqueens, it would be just another lawsuit.

By: SpartaChris

SpartaChris — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:38:56 +0000

It’s unreasonable for the league to keep track of every single supplement on the face of the planet, especially with the volume of supplements coming out every year world wide. And just because the product wasn’t on the known banned supplement list at the time of the call doesn’t mean the product wasn’t bad. It could mean the league hadn’t heard of it before or hadn’t tested it prior to the call.
Plus, it’s also possible the guy pulled a Shawne Merriman and had someone spike his supplements, so he could use the “I called the hotline” excuse.
To take it one step further, the league provides a list of approved substances. Hell, even the guy’s own agent acknowledges the risk in taking something not specifically approved. From TFA:
He confirms Vobora was told the substance, “Was not on the list of officially sanctioned products, and ultimately a player is responsible for anything he puts in his body.””
If the guy legitimately didn’t know his supplement was tainted, he should sue the company who made them.

By: DonkeyRider

DonkeyRider — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:23:32 +0000

The league needs to take a stand on this issue. If a player calls the hotline and is told by a league employee that the substance he plans to ingest is not banned, then he should not be held responsible for the manufacturer’s mistakes. Besides, how does a company get their product on the officially sanctioned product list? How much cash does it take to grease that wheel?

By: Quagmire

Quagmire — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:35:11 +0000

“He confirms Vobora was told the substance, “Was not on the list of officially sanctioned products, and ultimately a player is responsible for anything he puts in his body.”
What kind of dope risks taking anything that is not officially sancioned?
Especially with the Star Caps mess.

By: rjgreen3

rjgreen3 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:58:55 +0000

Let me get this straight. Player calls NFL Hotline and is told product is ok to use. Player uses product and then is told by NFL that he tested positive for banned substance! Product is tested and banned substance is found in it! Why does the NFL have a hotline if they don’t even know what they are doing or are they trying to put players on the sidelines and collect fine $? Goodell and His merry men are all a bunch of jokes and jackasses!!!

By: 10mm

10mm — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:48:32 +0000

just think how bad he would be without them.

By: bearsrule

bearsrule — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:31:41 +0000

If a player is employed by by the Browns, Raiders or Rams they should be given a break. Actually, they should be given drugs, if desired.

By: Delbert

Delbert — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:19:43 +0000

So last year’s Mr Irrelevant might be irrelevant this year too?