Ten NFL Players Positive for Drugs, to Receive Only Four Game Suspensions

A message to all the critics of cycling out there: Be glad your sport is not as invested in the battle against doping as cycling is. News came out today that at least ten NFL players have tested positive for diuretics, used to help players lose weight. The drugs in question can also be used to mask other drugs. The penalty for these transgressions? Four games. Four lousy games and the players involved can resume their careers as if nothing happened.

Only two players have been named in the investigation, both from the New Orleans Saints: Running back Deuce McCallister and defensive end Will Smith. The hilarious (or overwhelmingly depressing) part about this whole situation is that McCallister and Smith probably won't have to serve their suspensions for several more weeks, if at all. In fact, they'll both be able to continue as if nothing happened. In cycling things work a little different.

In cycling, you are held accountable immediately for your actions. When found positive, you are suspended, without pay, immediately, by your team. You lose your place on the team and are removed from competition right away. Then, you are brought before your federation, and sanctioned for two years for cheating (unless you are from Kazakstan and your name is Alexander Vinokourov). Then, you wait your two years and maybe, maybe, get a contract to race again.

There are many critics of the sport of cycling that say it is the dirtiest sport with the most drug cheats. Mularky. Any human that weighs 300+ pounds and can run the 40 yard dash faster than five seconds is on drugs. Period. And the same goes for anyone who can hit 60+ home runs in a season. American football has more drug cheats than any other sport. But it doesn't matter. Because Budweiser and Nike and all the sposors of pro football need to get paid. And because they need to get paid, they tolerate, cover up, and even encourage drug use.

Say what you want about cycling, but at least the sport is doing all it can to clean up and clear out the drug cheats. Cheaters, once caught, are swiftly sanctioned and removed from the sport. Maybe that will someday be the case in other sports, but until then, cycling stands alone as the most vigilant in the battle against doping cheats.