NFL considers banning honors in steroid cases, By: Jim Thomas

02/03/2007

MIAMI — The National Football League, apparently with the support of its players, is considering banning suspended steroids users from winning league honors, such as Pro Bowl berths.

"It's a huge priority for us," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday. "It's part of the discussions we've had about changes to our drug program. Gene (Upshaw) and I have had several discussions about it. I think we'll pick those discussions up soon after the Pro Bowl."

Upshaw is executive director of the NFL Players Association.

The issue arose while San Diego linebacker-defensive end Shawne Merriman was en route to an NFL-high 17 sacks during the 2006 regular season despite missing four games because of a steroids suspension. Miami defensive end Jason Taylor complained that Merriman shouldn't be eligible for the NFL's defensive player of the year award because he used a performance-enhancing drug.

Taylor ended up winning the award, but Merriman was voted to the AFC Pro Bowl squad.

Said Goodell: "Our players are the ones that have stood up and said, 'We don't want this in the game. And we also don't think that someone who violates this policy, whether intentionally or not, should be awarded a postseason spot on the Pro Bowl roster.'

The issue needs further discussion because many player contracts include incentives, or escalator clauses that increase salary, if players make the Pro Bowl or win various honors.

Goodell also expressed concern about a rash of off-the-field incidents involving players in the past year.

"One incident is too many in my book," Goodell said. "I think we need to re-evaluate all of our programs. We have a tremendous number of programs that I think have been quite successful to help our players. But I think we've got to do more."

Goodell said he and Upshaw will form an advisory group of players and meet with them in the next several weeks to discuss the issue.