The use of steroids by professional athletes has become a source of controversy in American society. In testimony before Congress, major league baseball (MLB) player Jason Giambi estimated the number of players who use steroids as 85 percent, (Leo, p. 29). Americans are outraged, athletes are in denial, major league sports commissionerÆs are doing damage control, and Congress is considering two bills to regulate professional sports pertaining to steroid use in light of revelation after revelation about major league sports athletesÆ use of steroids. This paper will address different views on this issue in the hopes of discovering some form of resolution.
From the professional athleteÆs perspective, the use of steroids is viewed as a common practice. However, baseball players like Barry Bonds and Rafael Palmeiro denied they ever ôintentionallyö took steroids, having both tested positive for their use, (Bad, p. 101). Bonds maintained the ôcreamö steroid he used was a product he felt was arthritis rub, while Palmeiro suggested he may have acquired steroid residue from a diet supplement he was using. Some athletes, like MarinersÆ shortstop Mike Morse, admit to using steroids. However, Mores, having been tested over a two year period and testing positive all three times, claims the tests were too close and they are testing positive based on his use of steroids in the 2003 season, (Bechtel, p. 24). Mores could be correct, since Penn State sports science professor Charles Yesalis claims ôNandrolone traces can stay in the body for up to 18 months,ö (Bechtel, p. 24).
If Mores is correct, than drug-testing for steroids would need modified so as not to subject players to double- or triple-jeopardy. However, Congress is currently considered Bills S.1114 and S.1334 to regulate steroid use in professional sports, (Tagliabue, p. 2). These Bills call for the same measures in place in MLB, the National Basketball
...