Report: 52 NFL Pro Bowl Players Tied to Performance-Enhancing Drugs

In a scathing indictment of the NFL's policies against performance-enhancing drugs, a San Diego Union-Tribune investigation has documented that 52 former Pro Bowl players have been tied to steroids and related substances.

According to the Union-Tribune, those 52 are among at least 185 NFL players since 1962 who can be tied to PEDs. Union-Tribune staff writer Brent Schrotenboer writes:

With the nation's most popular professional sports league three weeks into a new season – and with several players serving suspensions for positive tests – The San Diego Union-Tribune sought to compile the most comprehensive list to date of NFL players linked to performance-enhancing drugs. It is the NFL equivalent of the Mitchell Report, the much-publicized assessment of performance-enhancing drug use in baseball released last December by former Sen. George Mitchell and mandated by Commissioner Bud Selig. That report had 85 names dating to about 1993.

The full list of players is daunting and, it bears repeating, includes 100 more players than were named in the Mitchell Report. The NFL has generally avoided the harsh criticism that Major League Baseball has received over steroids, but the Union-Tribune's reporting calls into question whether the NFL has gotten a free pass.

UPDATE: Bob Sapp, Star of Japanese MMA, Among Former NFL Players Tied to Steroids.

Links to Performance-Enhancing Drugs

Chargers star Shawne Merriman, who tested positive for nandrolone in 2006, is just one of many, many NFL players who have been linked to steroids and related substances throughout history. According to a new investigation by the San Diego Union-Tribune, there are at least 185 NFL players since 1962 who can be tied to performance-enhancing drugs. Click through to see 29 other notable names that were listed in the report.

Chris Park, AP

Ryan Tucker, Browns, 2007: The offensive lineman was suspended four games for violating the steroid policy, but claimed he only took a banned substance to increase his testosterone and improve his mental health.

Scott Boehm, Getty Images

Todd Steussie, Panthers, 2004: The offensive lineman was given prescriptions for banned substances shortly before the Super Bowl in 2004 and reportedly filled prescriptions for steroids at a South Carolina pharmacy.

George Gojkovich, Getty Images

Todd Sauerbrun, Broncos, 2006: The punter was suspended four games for a positive ephedra test, and reportedly had steroid prescriptions filled by South Carolina steroid doctor while with the Panthers.

Greg Trott, Getty Images

Nelson Munsey, Colts, 1970s: When Munsey sued the NFL retirement plan in 2000, the complaint said he used steroids and amphetamines "consistent with the common usage of such drugs in professional football at that time."

Manny Rubio, NFL

Travis Henry, Bills, 2001: Like many others, the running back admitted he used ephedra before it was banned from the league.

eorge Gojkovich, Getty Images

Tony Mandarich, Packers, 1980s-1990s: According to a report in Sports Illustrated, the NFL bust allegedly confessed to others that he used steroids, but Mandarich denied it.

Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

Ray Buchanan, Falcons, 2002: The one-time Pro Bowler was suspended four games for violating steroid-related policy.

Elsa, Getty Images

Luke Petitgout, Bucs, 2008: Petitgout was suspended four games for violating steroid-related policy.

Getty Images

Shaun Rogers, Lions, 2006: The defensive tackle was suspended four games for violating steroid-related policy. Rogers claimed it was ephedrine in an appetite suppressant he took.

Duane Burleson, AP