Free agent Jason Ferguson of the Miami Dolphins was recently suspended for the first 8 games of the 2010 season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Ferguson, who tested positive for marijuana in his scouting combine in 1997 followed by a suspension just two years after in 1999 for anabolic steroid use, defended himself by saying, "People are thinking I'm a drug addict or something like that, and that's ridiculous... I read bottles and I know steroids. I didn't take no damn steroids." Because no further details were released regarding which specific NFL policies were violated and to what degree, it is difficult to assess Ferguson's fault and liability. Still, I trust that the NFL is and will continue to appropriately administer its penalties and/or fines. However, I don't believe the NFL is doing all that it can to prohibit steroid or other illegal performance-enhancing substances from the league. Perhaps more frequent and thorough testing combined with more severe penalties, the NFL can help rid of illegal substances from the game for good.
Joseph Park
KIN332i Sec. 2
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