Six players suspended for taking banned substances
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Six NFL players have been suspended for four games each after taking banned substances which could act as masking agents for steroids, the NFL said on Tuesday.
Charles Grant, Will Smith and Deuce McAllister of New Orleans Bryan Pittman of Houston, and Kevin Williams and Pat Williams of Minnesota have all been suspended for the remaining four regular season games.
"The players specifically violated a long-standing provision of the policy relating to the use of diuretics and water pills, which serve as masking agents for steroids and are potentially dangerous to the health of players," an NFL statement said.
The NFL statement referred to a weight loss product called Star Caps and the league said they had warned teams in 2006 that the product had been added to the list of prohibited dietary supplement companies.
The suspensions are a particular blow for the Minnesota Vikings who currently lead the NFC North. Kevin and Pat Williams, who are not related, are the heart of the team's defense as starting defensive tackles.
REGULAR SEASON
The Vikings lead Chicago by a game with just four remaining in the regular season.
"The Minnesota Vikings are very disappointed in the National Football League's decision and suspension of Kevin Williams and Pat Williams. At the appropriate time, we will have further comment," the Vikings said in a statement.
David Cromwell, a lawyer for the New Orleans trio, said the players had no intention of taking performance-enhancing substances and added future action could be taken.
"Deuce, Will, and Charles did not try to enhance their performance with steroids, nor did they knowingly expose themselves to the adverse health risks of a diuretic. They took a weight loss supplement that they had every reason to believe was safe," he said in an email to Reuters.
"It is grossly unfair that Deuce, Will, and Charles are the only ones that must bear a burden. We will take further action as is appropriate," he added.
With the appeals process having already been exhausted one possible route open to the players would be to file an injunction against the suspension. Several media outlets cited sources saying that could be a possible route.
The league said that should a team reach the playoffs the players would be available again from December 29, allowing them to take part in post-season games.
The suspended players will go without pay for the duration of their bans.
(Reporting by Simon Evans in Miami; Editing by Ed Osmond)
