The NFL is embroiled in a controversy over Adderall, which has been used by many athletes for its performance-enhancing advantages. Adderall is commonly used to treat ADHD, so it's odd to see it mentioned in the context of a performance-enhancing drug used by football players. But that's not the only odd drug used by athletes.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall says he's heard of something even stranger used by players.
“I don’t know too much about Adderall,” Marshall said Wednesday according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. “I know guys, it is such a competitive league, guys try anything just to get that edge. I’m fortunate enough to be blessed with size and some smarts to give me my edge. But some guys, they’ll do whatever they can to get an edge.
“I’ve heard of some crazy stories. I’ve heard (of) guys using like Viagra, seriously. Because the blood is supposedly thin, some crazy stuff. So, you know, it’s kind of scary with some of these chemicals that are in some of these things so you have to be careful.”
And we thought the excuse Richard Sherman reportedly gave for his positive drug test was bizarre.
Marshall's comments actually aren't as crazy as they seem.
In 2008, The New York Times discussed the performance-enhancing advantages of Viagra. Viagra dilates blood vessels and increases oxygenation, which could boost a player’s performance, particularly in a city like Denver where the elevation is a major factor.
“It clearly provides an unfair advantage, at least at altitude,” an expert leading the World Anti-Doping Association’s research told the New York Times.
Marshall spent four seasons with the Denver Broncos, which is likely where he saw the product used.
WADA even financed a study involving Marywood University’s lacrosse teams to see if they could determine whether Viagra was potent enough to be added to the banned substance list. They ended up not adding it to the banned list after determining it did not have strong enough performance-enhancing effects.
Who would have figured that a product marketed to enhance one’s sexual performance could also boost an athlete’s play on the field?
hno:
