"STEROIDS ARE THE TOOLS OF THE CHEATER. IT IS TIME TO END STEROID USE AND PUT COMPETITION BACK IN SPORTS "

Washington, Mar 10, 2005 -

"Sports are appealing because they are based on merit and talent, whether on the field, court, or track," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) Chairman of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee.  "However, the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, in addition to being illegal, undermines the integrity of sports and poses significant health risks to the athlete.  This hearing reached beyond headlines and sensationalism to focus on the fact surrounding steroid use, its scope in amateur and professional sports, and what is being done to reestablish integrity and honor in American sports."

The Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee today held a join hearing with the Health Subcommittee on steroids in sports.  Mr. Donald Hooton provided a poignant viewpoint on steroid use involving his son Taylor, "I am convinced that Taylor's secret use of anabolic steroids played a significant role in causing the severe depression that resulted in his suicide."  During his junior year in High School, Taylor turned to steroids after being advised to get bigger by his baseball couch.

Stearns pointed out that amateur athletic organizations have more stringent testing and sanctioning policies for steroids than any of the professional sports leagues.  Noted Stearns, "In the NCAA, the penalty for a first offense in steroid use is a one-year suspension and a life-time ban for the second.  Yet, the NFL imposes a four-game suspension for a first offense, and only one year for the third offense.  Major League Baseball (MLB) imposes a 10-day suspension for the first offense an one year for the fourth."

Adolpho Birch, Labor Relations Counsel for the NFL, defended the league's policy as "being considered the most effective in professional sports."  Francis Coonelly, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Labor, for MLB outlined the league's steroid efforts, and stated, "Major League Baseball has made tremendous progress in dealing with the use of performance enhancing substances by its players by instituting a zero tolerance policy in the minor leagues and by negotiating a new and much stronger steroid policy at the Major League level with the MLB Players Association."

Stearns pointed out that the subcommittee had invited the commissioners of the NFL, MLB, and NBA, as well as the NCAA, and remarked that the "commissioners are noticeably absent.  It is my strong feeling that the commissioners of the professional sports leagues must take ownership of this issue and lead at the highest level if we are to succeed."  After reviewing the information resulting from this hearing, Stearns will plan a future hearing involving athletes and league commissioners.