The use of anabolic steroids by NFL players is going undetected because of inaccurate testing for the performance-enhancing drugs, a newspaper reported.
The NFL conducted more than 6,000 tests for steroids last year and only 13 players were reported suspended for drug use.Dr. Mauro DiPasquale, who has written eight books on steroids and introduced drug testing into international powerlifting in 1981, said the only reason so few players are suspended is they simply don't get caught.
"If I wanted, I could have every NFL player up to his eyeballs in steroids and the league would not catch one of them," DiPasquale is quoted as saying in today's edition of The Palm Beach Post.
The tests can be beaten, experts say, by taking steroids that can't be differentiated from hormones found in the body or by taking masking agents to hide the presence of steroids. Also, there are drugs that work like steroids but haven't been banned for use by athletes.
Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Bill Fralic, who two years ago told a Senate subcommittee that three-of-four NFL players took steroids, said random testing this year has helped decrease the use of the drugs.
But Fralic added, "It hasn't gone away. I still know people who are doing it . . . and I don't know of any way to keep them from doing it."
Lyle Alzado, a former defensive lineman, attributes his brain cancer to longtime steroid use. He said recently on "The Larry King Show" that he believes 70 percent of NFL players use steroids.
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Terry Long twice attempted suicide last month after reportedly failing a NFL drug test.
Such publicity has put the NFL on the defensive.
"It doesn't make the NFL look good," Fralic told the Post. "The NFL doesn't want people to think these guys are running around doing drugs; they want to sell another image. But the image is nowhere near the fact."
The NFL says its drug testing is effective and that steroid use is down.
"It's unfair to brand the whole league as a bunch of steroid users," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. "It's inaccurate. You have to give our players more credit than that."
The NFL began testing for steroids only two years ago and suspending players who tested positive last year. In November, Congress made the possession and sale of steroids illegal.
In 1989, the league announced 18 players had tested positive. Last year, while no figures were released by the league, 13 players were reported suspended for drug use.
Dr. John Lombardo, director of the NFL's drug program, answered questions from The Palm Beach Post through Aiello.
"We are doing everything possible under the current technology," Lombardo told Aiello. "I don't believe there are a lot of players using steroids."
Lombardo admitted that testing procedures aren't foolproof. The most drastic step taken so far was the NFL's decision to random test this year, with seven players selected by computer each week.
But experts say the tests are routinely beaten.
"Look at the linemen in the NFL," said Dr. Chuck Yesalis, a professor of exercise and sport science at Penn State. "You've got linemen who are 300 and more pounds with body fat in the 10-15 percent range. Frankly, I don't see how they get that big . . . without steroids."