Last Tuesday, on the same day the Dallas Cowboys announced that wide receiver Terrell Owens had agreed to a contract extension with $13 million in guaranteed money, Owens earlier was in New York meeting with NFL officials after being placed in the league's "reasonable cause" testing program for performance-enhancing drugs, league, team and player sources told ESPN.
Owens was placed in the program because he missed day-of telephone calls to set up random tests, the sources said. A player that misses a test can be subject to disciplinary action, but because Owens had a "plausible" explanation, league administrators decided he would not be suspended or fined. Instead, Owens now is subject to random testing for performance enhancers up to a maximum of 24 annual screenings, and these additional screenings can be required, if the NFL chooses to do so, for the remainder of his NFL career.
An NFL spokesman said the league would have no comment because of the confidentiality restrictions of the program. Cowboys officials had no immediate comment. Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was unavailable for comment, but his partner and brother, Jason Rosenhaus, said, "We're not allowed to comment on anything pertaining to that topic."
After receiving a letter from the NFL informing him of the action, Owens met with NFL officials last Tuesday morning because he was in the New York area. Owens has since passed a test for performance enhancers, the sources said, adding that he has never had a positive test for any illegal substance.
Owens was warned that he risks a suspension if administrators experience a similar road block as when they attempted to reach him two weeks ago. On one occasion, the primary phone number Owens provided was that of Drew Rosenhaus. Subsequently, the sources said, the alternate phone number Owens provided went unanswered, except for an automated message that communicated, "The voice mailbox for this user is full." Owens told the league that his phone had not shown any record of its missed calls.
The testing program requires players to make themselves accessible and communicate their specific location when they are contacted for a test.
It was late last Tuesday afternoon when Owens and the Cowboys held a news conference at the Cowboys' headquarters at Valley Ranch to announce the receiver's new three-year, $27 million contract extension with $13 million of new guaranteed money.
Posts: 1622 | Location: Williamsburg, VA | Registered: August 29, 2002
I think if this was just about any other a player, this would be a non story. I don't see any big deal in this article, it even says that he has since passed his test and has passed all previous tests.
With that being said, we can all go get our "popcorn ready" for the 2008 TO season.
Posts: 1413 | Location: Houston | Registered: September 02, 2001
It's no different that baseball. The owners dont' give a crap about performance enhancing drugs. Why do you think the NFL has such a week testing system. These guys get 2 and 3 chances sometimes. You don't even hear the half of it because it's all confidential. And it's that way for a reason, because they don't want you do know what's going on.
Posts: 5371 | Location: The Frozen Tundra | Registered: September 04, 2002
There's some truth to that when it comes to illegal drugs. If I recall correctly, it's really the third failed test before a player is suspended when it comes to marijana, etc. However, the first failed steroid test is an immediate 4 game suspension. As I understand it, they can't/don't test for HGH and some other high end stuff that I'm sure is used. However, when it comes to "regular steroids", the NFL has a fairly solid/strict policy.
That's not to say they don't have a certain soft spot and/or desire to keep info out of the spotlight but overall, I think they've done a decent job of policing themselves so far.
Posts: 2521 | Location: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: May 08, 2001
I heard an interview last season with an ex trainer who was explaining the NFL drug testing. As far as street drugs go, he said the NFL tests for them once before the season starts and that's it. He also said what iguana said. HGH and many others are not or can't be tested for. The picture the NFL paints is not nearly as effective as we think. To think these athletes or any other would do whatever it takes to stay on that field or increase their salary by million is crazy. There is a very small percentage of players who are actually 100% clean.
Posts: 5371 | Location: The Frozen Tundra | Registered: September 04, 2002
