Steroids in sports.

[Scranton Tiger]

The recent news about A-Rod's possible steroid use brought it back to my mind. I honestly don't understand what the big deal is if an athlete uses a performance enhancer. I DON'T CARE. You could have a picture of a player in the dougout with a needle in his rear during the seventh inning stretch and I still wouldn't care. Ditto that for the same scenario on the sidelines, locker room, etc. From the moment over a century ago that compensation became the norm for playing a childs game, player A has been looking for a way to perform better than player B. For years it was just running and weight lifting during training camp. Then it became year round. Eventually better nutrition became the norm. In the 40s, 50s, 60s and into the 70s amphetamines became normal beacuse it gave players a "boost" during the long grind of a season. Is anyone REALLY surprised that eventually players turned to science to find that edge? I know not everyone will agree with this point of view. If you disagree, tell us your thoughts on why. If you agree, tell us your thoughts as well.

 

[Jon88]

I don't think steriods should be encouraged because of their harmful long-term effects.

 

[joseephuss]

I don't think steriods should be encouraged because of their harmful long-term effects.

That is each persons choice. If they want to ruin the latter stages of their life by abusing steroids then that should be their decision. And I do mean abuse. There is steroid use and steroid abuse. Guys that beef up in a short peroid of time are mostly likely abusers and not just users.

My only concern and it is a minor concern with it is that kids don't understand those kind of long term ramifications. They just don't have that wisdom to consider what steroid use can do to them 20, 30 or 40 years down the line. Maybe even 10 years down the line. Kids will do what they see pro athletes do. It is stupid and I hate that kids hold up athletes up as role models, but they do. If they see their favorite sports stars taking steroids, then they will be more likely to do it themselves.

Even at that I am not that concerned. It is like that show *******. Those guys do stupid stuff. Kids mimic it and get hurt. Well, sorry kids or parents of those kids. Stop doing stupid stuff unless you are prepared to live with those ramifications. I do think a majority of young people won't want to risk ruining their lives taking steroids. It would be a relatively small percentage that would take them. I just can see some of them coming back later and saying "I didn't know they would hurt me" or something along those lines and suing the pro leagues.

I am all for guys doing what they think it takes to make them the best as long as what they do doesn't hurt someone else. For example, if someone wants to be the best QB he can A) go out and practice hard and work out to become the best r B) he can go out and murder all the QBs ranked higher than him, so he is left stand and therefore the best QB. Well obviously I don't want B to occur. Steroids is not B or anything like B. It doesn't hurt the next person. It potentially hurts the person taking them.

I am all for it. In reality it has already happened or is happening in sports. It would be naive to think that a large percentage of pro athletes are not taking some sort of performance enhancing supplements. They are part of the game and I think have been a part for a long time. Longer than most want to admit.

 

[Doomsday101]

That is each persons choice. If they want to ruin the latter stages of their life by abusing steroids then that should be their decision. And I do mean abuse. There is steroid use and steroid abuse. Guys that beef up in a short peroid of time are mostly likely abusers and not just users.

My only concern and it is a minor concern with it is that kids don't understand those kind of long term ramifications. They just don't have that wisdom to consider what steroid use can do to them 20, 30 or 40 years down the line. Maybe even 10 years down the line. Kids will do what they see pro athletes do. It is stupid and I hate that kids hold up athletes up as role models, but they do. If they see their favorite sports stars taking steroids, then they will be more likely to do it themselves.

Even at that I am not that concerned. It is like that show *******. Those guys do stupid stuff. Kids mimic it and get hurt. Well, sorry kids or parents of those kids. Stop doing stupid stuff unless you are prepared to live with those ramifications. I do think a majority of young people won't want to risk ruining their lives taking steroids. It would be a relatively small percentage that would take them. I just can see some of them coming back later and saying "I didn't know they would hurt me" or something along those lines and suing the pro leagues.

I am all for guys doing what they think it takes to make them the best as long as what they do doesn't hurt someone else. For example, if someone wants to be the best QB he can A) go out and practice hard and work out to become the best r B) he can go out and murder all the QBs ranked higher than him, so he is left stand and therefore the best QB. Well obviously I don't want B to occur. Steroids is not B or anything like B. It doesn't hurt the next person. It potentially hurts the person taking them.

I am all for it. In reality it has already happened or is happening in sports. It would be naive to think that a large percentage of pro athletes are not taking some sort of performance enhancing supplements. They are part of the game and I think have been a part for a long time. Longer than most want to admit.

But the leagues do not have to allow it or condone it and should have the right to ban it and punish those who are caught using it.

 

[switzersflask]

I have no problem with players using certain substances with a prescription and under a physician's supervision.

 

[CowboyWay]

I don't think steriods should be encouraged because of their harmful long-term effects.

I really don't buy that there are real long term effects. Even if there are, whats the difference between that and say smoking?

Both have long term effects. One is legal, the other is not.

I don't want to see roids in sports though because you damn sure know there are kids who think they can make the pros if the roid up.

its one thing for pros to roid up under care of some of the best doctors money can buy to watch them and watch thier intake. its another to have some kid experimenting in his bedroom with pills, and needles.

 

[joseephuss]

But the leagues do not have to allow it or condone it and should have the right to ban it and punish those who are caught using it.

I agree and don't argue that point. If they want to ban them that is fine by me. Of course the ban on performance enhancing drugs is mostly window dressing. The NFL's testing standards and practices are not that stringent. If they truly were against it they would do more about it. There is not even a test for HGH. It is easy for the NFL to say they are against it when they can't even do anything about it. And the NFL is actually better than the NBA and MLB when it comes to testing.