Former linebacker Haslett says he used steroids as NFL player

[Mr Cowboy]

Now we know why we only have 5 rings instead of 7!

Former linebacker Haslett says he used steroids as NFL player

March 24, 2005
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett says he used steroids when he starred as a linebacker in the early 1980s, in the 1970s brought steroids into vogue around the NFL. and claims the Pittsburgh Steelers' use of the drugs during Super Bowl championship seasons

Haslett, the Steelers' defensive coordinator from 1997-99, made the comments Wednesday in Hawaii, where the league is holding its annual meeting. They were published in Thursday's editions of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Los Angeles Times.

Steelers owner Dan Rooney, who ran the team during the 1970s, denied the Steelers pioneered steroid use in the NFL.

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Haslett played in Buffalo from 1979 to 1985, and finished his career in 1987 with the New York Jets. He said he used steroids for one season early in his career.

``It started, really, in Pittsburgh. They got an advantage on a lot of football teams. They were so much stronger (in the) '70s, late '70s, early '80s,'' Haslett said. ``They're the ones who kind of started it.''

Rooney rejected Haslett's claims, noting the Steelers were known for smaller, quicker linemen who ran trap plays that required they be agile, not bulky.

``This is totally false when he says it started with the Steelers in the '70s,'' Rooney told the Post-Gazette. ``(Then-coach) Chuck Noll was totally against it. He looked into it, examined it, talked to people. Haslett, maybe it affected his mind.

``Chuck Noll told the players, 'Hey, this stuff doesn't do you any good. If you just do the work, lift, things like that, you'll be all right,''' Rooney said.

At least one Steelers player from that era has admitted using steroids. Steve Courson, a part-time starter on Pittsburgh's last Super Bowl title team in 1979, has blamed a heart condition on steroid use. Courson has also said that teammates such as Jack Ham and Jack Lambert adamantly refused to use them.

Haslett estimated half the league's players, and all its linemen, took steroids in the 1980s before they were banned by the league. The league began testing for steroids in 1987, but players weren't suspended for using them until 1989. The league started using random, year-round drug testing in 1990.

Haslett starred at Avalon High School near Pittsburgh as a 160-pound quarterback, but played defensive end and weighed about 230 pounds in college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Haslett said he gained that weight by working out, but began using steroids shortly after he was drafted by the Bills in 1979.

``If you didn't (take steroids) you weren't as strong as everybody else, you weren't as fast as everybody else,'' Haslett said. ``That's the only reason to do it. Everybody's looking for a competitive edge.''

Haslett weighed about 250 pounds when he played in the NFL.

``Everybody wanted an advantage, so you tried it; I tried it. I mean, I tried it, everybody tried it,'' Haslett said.

Haslett cited the side effects of steroids as the reason he quit.

``I didn't think it was very good for you. I was hyper all the time. Got bloated, a fat face,'' Haslett said. ``I'll tell you one thing about steroids, if you take them you still have to eat right and work your *** off. If you take them and you don't do anything, that doesn't do anything for you.''

[Everlastingxxx]

What do you think the percentage of players in the NFL using steriods today? Did Emmitt Smith every use it?

[Cajuncowboy]

I wonder if Mike Webster's problems could have been traced back to them. Not saying it was, just wondering. For his size he was incredibally strong.

[Hollywood Henderson]

Yes, I would say so CC...

While Rooney would never admit it, the Steelers Oline had Massive arms way back before you saw that in todays game...

[Dangerous Dave]

Originally Posted by cajuncowboy

I wonder if Mike Webster's problems could have been traced back to them. Not saying it was, just wondering. For his size he was incredibally strong.

don't forget Steve Courson.

He even wrote a book entitled "False Hope; Steelers & Steroids".

[Eddie]

Why are we surprised? Use of anabolic enhancements is about 100% in the NFL.

The media makes it seem like its some kind of dangerous poison. Steroids are actually used for medical purposes. They also enhancement muscular and athletic performance ... they're used because they work.

... and NO, Lyle Alzado DID NOT die of steroids. He died of a brain tumor.

It's amazing how all the pot heads, crack heads, life long tobacco and alcohol addicts stand back and say, "Damm, them steroids are gonna kill you!".

Amazing!!!

[Everlastingxxx]

Originally Posted by Eddie

Why are we surprised? Use of anabolic enhancements is about 100% in the NFL.

The media makes it seem like its some kind of dangerous poison. Steroids are actually used for medical purposes. They also enhancement muscular and athletic performance ... they're used because they work.

... and NO, Lyle Alzado DID NOT die of steroids. He died of a brain tumor.

It's amazing how all the pot heads, crack heads, life long tobacco and alcohol addicts stand back and say, "Damm, them steroids are gonna kill you!".

Amazing!!!

Man, i completely disagree with you. Do a google search on "dangers of steriods", then come back and edit your post.

Umm, who are all these pot heads and crack heads you are talking about? Who's the drunks? Not me...and i believe that Steriods are harmful.

[Eddie]

Originally Posted by Everlastingxxx

Man, i completely disagree with you. Do a google search on "dangers of steriods", then come back and edit your post.

Umm, who are all these pot heads and crack heads you are talking about? Who's the drunks? Not me...and i believe that Steriods are harmful.

Interesting ... do you know Tylenol is more liver toxic than Anadrol?

Alcohol and tobacco kill millions more than Steroids do.

I'm not a proponent of Steroids, but there's a HUGE misconception. As with any ABUSE, things can be dangerous. But to say Steroids are dangerous is ridiculous.

If you say it's a cheating thing, then I agree.

Testosterone is often prescribed by doctors to aging men. It's also used to keep muscles from wasting on AIDS patients. OMG !!! It MUST be dangerous!!!

But don't put the dangers of Steroids before the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, Tylenol, driving a car, driving a bike, walking on the street at night, etc.

... and NO!!! Steroids did NOT cause Lyle Alzado's brain tumor. That's hilarious. That's like saying the soap he used everyday of his life caused brain tumor.

[Doomsday101]

Originally Posted by Eddie

Why are we surprised? Use of anabolic enhancements is about 100% in the NFL.

The media makes it seem like its some kind of dangerous poison. Steroids are actually used for medical purposes. They also enhancement muscular and athletic performance ... they're used because they work.

... and NO, Lyle Alzado DID NOT die of steroids. He died of a brain tumor.

It's amazing how all the pot heads, crack heads, life long tobacco and alcohol addicts stand back and say, "Damm, them steroids are gonna kill you!".

Amazing!!!

Steroids are used by doctors and they get abused by many people. Yes Steroids can have a devastating effect on a person if used incorrect and as far as Alzado Doctors did feel that his condition was brought on by his overuse of the drug.

[Yeagermeister]

Alzado's abuse of steroids caused the brain tumors that killed him. The key there is ABUSE.

[Doomsday101]

Originally Posted by Yeagermeister

Alzado's abuse of steroids caused the brain tumors that killed him. The key there is ABUSE.

Yes that is the key word abuse. However the league does test for Steroids where we are not seeing that done in other sports. I do think there was a time when steroid use in the NFL was a fairly common practice I do not think it is a big problem today. I really do not think Steroids have a place in sports where you try to create a level playing field.

[zagnut]

I thought had Mike Webster admitted use of steroids.

These are not the first allegations of the Steelers being fueled by steroid use either, but the drugs weren't illegal then, or even considered dangerous. I'd love to believe that my heroic Cowboys were fighting against steroid created monsters, but that's probably not the case. They were good. So were we. They won.

It's pretty clear - to me at least - that the 70's were when steroid use exploded and by the 80's it was in the high schools. I know it was in my school by the late 80s. The growth of offensive and defensive linemen over the span of the decade was abnormal. It didn't just happen by eating more and lifting.

[joseephuss]

There is steroid use in today's NFL, but it is not nearly as prevalent as it was in the 70s. It may have started in Pittsburgh, but it spread to all teams quickly. The NFL decided to make a stand and develop a screening process. It is not fool proof, but it does make a difference. It is much better than the joke that MLB as come up with. An automatic 4 game suspension for the first offense. That is a deterrent. There are some that can beat the system. That always happens. I just think the percentage of guys using steroids in todays NFL is much lower than it used to be.

[fiveandcounting]

``I didn't think it was very good for you. I was hyper all the time. Got bloated, a fat face,'' Haslett said. ``I'll tell you one thing about steroids, if you take them you still have to eat right and work your *** off. If you take them and you don't do anything, that doesn't do anything for you.''[/quote]

This is interesting in light of the fact that I have seen Tony LaRussa in a few interviews go on about his reasons for thinking Mcwire didnt take them was because McGwire was always eating right and working out, suggesting that because of this he didn't need steroids.