Report: Positive Steroid Tests Likely Result In Pro Bowl Ban, By: Matthew Smith

February 5, 2007

Miami, FL (AHN) - Players who test positive for taking steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs will likely be banned from playing in the Pro Bowl next season.

League sources told ESPN that Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw have agreed to deny any player from Pro Bowl consideration if he tests positive. The new policy will reportedly be effective at the start of the 2007 regular season.

Upshaw met Monday with player representatives, who agreed to the new rule. A formal announcement is expected to come in March.

Jason Taylor, the Miami Dolphins defensive end who was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, voiced his opinion about the steroids issue in December, saying that players shouldn't be allowed to receive any postseason awards if they test positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

"You really shouldn't be able to fail a test like that and play in this league, to begin with," Taylor said at the time. "To make the Pro Bowl and all the other awards, I think you're walking a fine line of sending the wrong message.

"A performance-enhancing drug is, obviously, what it is," Taylor said. "You enhance your performance by doing that. You fail that test, I think it's not right. It's against the rules and ultimately I think it's sending the wrong message to the youth in America and the people who look at this game not only as entertainment but also to learn lessons from it."

Shawne Merriman, who tested positive for steroids and was suspended during the regular season, believes the only thing he can to do prove doubters wrong is by performing at a high level on the football field.

Merriman has denied ever knowingly taking steroids. He claims his positive test came as a result of a tainted workout supplement.

"You have to understand that the kind of person I've been and the kind of person I am, there should be no question in nobody's mind -- even though there will be -- about my ability on the football field," Merriman said. "This is God-given talent and that's what I've been showing since I've gotten on a football field. I think over time everybody will see that and know that."