Carolina Panther's Steroid Controversy

[ISiddiqui]

From their 2004 SuperBowl, but still interesting:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2025197

Report: Players had script filled before Super Bowl

Associated Press



CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers Todd Sauerbrun and Jeff Mitchell and former player Todd Steussie had steroid prescriptions filled by a West Columbia, S.C., doctor now under investigation by federal authorities, according to a "60 Minutes Wednesday" report.

In a release Tuesday, the CBS News show said the players all had prescriptions for testosterone cream filled within two weeks of the Panthers' appearance in the 2004 Super Bowl.

In addition to the cream, which is banned by the NFL, Sauerbrun -- one of the league's top punters -- also obtained syringes and the injectable steroid Stanozolol, which is also banned by the league.

The prescriptions were reportedly written by Dr. James Shortt, who is the subject of a Drug Enforcement Administration probe for allegedly prescribing steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.

Mitchell, a center, filled a testosterone prescription seven times, while Steussie, an offensive lineman now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, obtained 11 refills over an eight-month period in 2004, CBS reported.

"We've heard rumors and speculation about what was going to be in the CBS report, but this is the first time we've heard the specific allegations," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "Obviously, any time there is a possible connection with alleged actions that violate NFL rules, it concerns us greatly.

"We are dealing with allegations right now and we will continue to cooperate with the NFL and law enforcement in this matter."

The Panthers have been cooperating with a federal subpoena that sought contact information for several players as part of the probe of Shortt.

Hurney has stressed that none of the team's players have tested positive for steroids.

According to a report last month in The State of Columbia, Shortt has been under investigation since May.

In September, authorities raided Shortt's Health Dimensions office and Congaree Pharmacy near the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. State and federal agents seized computer data, at least 21 boxes of patient and medical records and 256 audio cassettes, the paper reported.

The "60 Minutes Wednesday" report also includes an interview with a former employee of Shortt, Mignon Simpson, who says she personally shipped human growth hormone to NFL players and that possibly a half-dozen players received hGH from Shortt.

There is no reliable test for hGH.

CBS said Mitchell and Steussie did not respond to repeated calls and letters seeking comment. The network said that when it contacted Sauerbrun by phone, and asked him about Shortt, the punter said, "I like the guy very much."

Ten minutes later, CBS said, Sauerbrun called back to say he had been confused and that he did not know Shortt.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

CBS said Mitchell and Steussie did not respond to repeated calls and letters seeking comment. The network said that when it contacted Sauerbrun by phone, and asked him about Shortt, the punter said, "I like the guy very much."

Ten minutes later, CBS said, Sauerbrun called back to say he had been confused and that he did not know Shortt.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[jeff061]

Hah, nice quote. Thats damn funny.

[ISiddiqui]

HAHAHA... didn't even notice that at first.

[General Mike]

why does a punter need steroids?

[SunDevil]

A Punter?............ A Punter?................ I am at a loss for words

[Tigercat]

Kickers are the greatest cheaters in all of football. They have been known to do all kinds of things to doctor footballs(see putting them in dryers) and sometimes even doctor their own shoes.

[JeeberD]

Originally Posted by General Mike

why does a punter need steroids?

Isn't Saurbrun supposed to be ripped and totally insane? Challenging the entire Gramatica clan to a fight and all that?

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by General Mike

why does a punter need steroids?

Well, so long as you tailor most of your workout towards maintaining flexibility, adding leg strength would seem to be a big benefit to a punter. Add to that, any additional muscle mass gained in the rest of the body gives him a little more protection in the event he gets bowled over by a rushing defender.

[General Mike]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

Isn't Saurbrun supposed to be ripped and totally insane? Challenging the entire Gramatica clan to a fight and all that?

Probably. Most punters are alot bigger than place kickers tho.

[Desnudo]

According to his profile, he's 5'10" and 215.

[timmynausea]

Sauerbrun is indeed both big and insane. Even in college he was known to be pretty weird. I remember one year WVU agreed to play in the kick off classic against Nebraska which was a huge mistake as they had lost 27 lettermen from the year before. They got slaughtered 31-0. You couldn't tell who was winning from watching Sauerbrun, he was laughing it up and having a great time on the sideline while the rest of the team sulked. He did nail a 90 yard punt that day, though.

[Klinglerware]

Not a big surprise with Sauerbrun. An acquaintance of mine who went to West Virginia at the same time as Sauerbrun mentioned that stories about him injecting directly into his leg (and sometimes in public view) were in wide circulation on campus...

[ISiddiqui]

I do remember when he challenged all the Gramaticas. Proabably could have kicked all their asses at the same time.

[MikeVic]

I also remember a time when Sauerbrun ripped the head off of a baby goose and then ran on the field the next play to kick a 100-yeard punt through the crossbars.