The NFL officially announced Thursday its ban of the stimulant ephedrine and will include it in the league’s anti-steroid policy, making players subject to random testing. The NFL Players Association has approved the ban, but discussions are ongoing over the start of testing.
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue cited evidence that ephedrine found in strength-building dietary supplements can cause seizures, strokes and even death.
The NCAA and the International Olympic Committee have long had ephedrine on their lists of banned substances. Tagliabue said manufacturers can market dietary supplements without government review, so there is no way to be certain that such products are safe and effective or that they contain the exact ingredients listed on their labels.
“One example is the proliferation of products containing ephedrine,” Tagliabue said. “This stimulant, which is often found in products advertised for weight loss and enhanced energy, has become increasingly popular among both professional and amateur athletes.”
Kicking games: The Bears scheduled a workout for kicker/punter John Hilbert, a free agent from Louisville who has spent time in training camps with Buffalo, Dallas and New Orleans.
Sustained drive: Bears coaches, players and staff will be donating blood at Halas Hall on Friday in support of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
No sellout: For the first time in their seven-year history, the Jacksonville Jaguars failed to sell enough tickets to prevent a local television blackout for a regular-season game. They fell 5,943 tickets short of selling out their 73,000-seat stadium for Sunday’s game against Cleveland.
Bledsoe out of hospital: New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe expects to miss at least three games after being released from a hospital following a hit that caused bleeding in his chest cavity.
McNair practices: The Tennessee Titans had hoped that quarterback Steve McNair could take part in a passing drill by Thursday. He beat those expectations by doing that and more.
McNair took half the snaps in the drill, tossed passes to receivers and then handled some handoffs in a team period.
Appeal lost: Broncos safety Eric Brown will have to pay a $24,588 fine after losing his appeal for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay Packers wide receiver Antonio Freeman in Denver’s second exhibition game.
