The general public assumed that the New Orleans Saints players who failed recent drug tests must have used steroids. After all, they tested positive according to the criteria of the NFL policy on anabolic steroids. Unfortunately, the NFL Policy on Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances is a misleading name for an anti-doping policy; it includes all performance enhancing drugs and masking agents IN ADDITION to anabolic steroids. Furthermore, New Orleans Saints Deuce McAllister, Will Grant and Charles Smith tested positive for bumetanide, a prescription diuretic and NOT an anabolic steroid.

Anti-doping skeptics point to the fact that bumetanide can be used as a masking agent for anabolic steroids. Fair enough. However, attorney David Cornwell reaffirmed assertions that his clients McAllister, Grant and Smith did NOT use anabolic steroids. He alleges, with ample evidence, that the positive tests were unintentional and the result of consuming a dietary supplement Starcaps that was spiked with bumetanide. … Read the rest of this entry »