On Tuesday, December 3, 2008, the NFL upheld the four-game suspensions of six players for violating the league's policy on steroids. The players involved -- Deuce McAllister, Charles Grant, and Will Smith of the Saints, Kevin and Pat Williams of the Vikings, and Bryan Pittman of the Texans -- were not accused of using steroids, but were instead found to have ingested a diuretic called bumetanide that can be used to mask the use of steroids.
All players involved were believed to have ingested the compound while using a diet aid called StarCaps, which allegedly did not disclose the presence of the substance in its list of ingredients.
Because of the extenuating circumstances surrounding this case, there is debate as to whether or not the penalties handed down are fair.
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Background
Prior to the season, all players are tested for banned substances during training camp. When the players in question tested positive, the NFL was informed and suspensions were issued. Since that time, the players have appealed those suspensions. Hearings were held in New York in November, and resulted in the appeals being rejected.
