Drugs: Are YOU "Positive?"

One hot topic as of late in the world of sports is Performance Enhancement Drugs (PED's).

While these drugs come in many forms, (i.e. needle, pill, cream, or liquid) what once was considered an epidemic has since turned into a pandemic.

If you disagree, please reference Major League Baseball (MLB).

Not to single out MLB. There have been issues in Cycling as well, with several credible sources alledging that Lance Armstrong was a "doper". You can also reference the Canadian doctor who was said (allegedly) to have provided Tiger Woods with some form of PED. Let's not forget that there have also been cases in the NFL and in the Universal Fighting Championship (UFC) organization.

I would like to focus on the industry-leading organization that is UFC for a moment.

Believe me, I would love to sit here and talk about Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens etc., but to be honest, I could write an entire expose on MLB alone. I'll save such a post for later - I'm certain another MLB athlete will "come clean" in the near future.

Here are the facts:

On Septmber 18, 2010, http://www.sherdog.com/ reported that UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen flunked a post-fight urianalysis after his loss to Anderson Silva in the middleweight title fight that was the main event of UFC 117.

It was not immediately determined which substance was found in his urine, however, George Dodd, executive officer of the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), told reporter Greg Savage that Sonnen received notice of the failed test on Friday. Apparently, all other fighters passed their tests - except Chael Sonnen.

Interesting, considering the fight was on Saturday, September 18, 2010.

It was noted that Sonnen is the second prominent UFC fighter in the last month(s) to be tied to steroids. The other was and is (allegedly) Shane Carwin.

One thing to note is, Chael Sonnen has since stated that he would be appealing the one-year suspension and the $2,500 fine issued by CSAC for a failed drug test.

Here is my take:

"Yawn!"

That pretty much sums up Chael Sonnen's situation in my eyes.

Sadly though, the reason I am callous to the recent findings has little to do with my interest in UFC fighting, which is minimal (growing rapidly though) at the moment, and everything to do with all the other sports and athletes who have collectively desensitized me to PED's.

Do I think it's okay to take PED's?

Absolutely not.

Do I understand why athletes do it?

Absolutely.

Now, before I go on, it is interesting to note that CSAC was aware Sonnen had failed prior to the fight, yet the fight went on. All that money involved, all those sponsors, of course the fight went on.

How stupid am I?

How dare I think mankind would ever put good, pure morals before greed.

I can literally sit here and tell you all the stories I've heard and witnessed first hand of high school kids who have coaches that ride them like Sea Biscuit at the Kentucky Derby day in-day out. This is the pressure that begins mounting at such a young age, and essentially mounts throughout their athletic career. They've got to be the best and as you all know, stop fronting people, most of you reading this have an Al Bundy, I once scored 4 touch-downs, scored 22 baskets, shot a 70, hit 3 home runs a game, or scored 4 goals in one game story to tell.

If you don't, you're either telling lies or you're straight up weak sauce.

Church! (*This saying is compliments of Chub Johnson)

The point I'm trying to make is, the pressure to be the best and to compete at the highest level is so severe, these same athletes who've had it drilled in their heads that they must be the best since even much younger than high school to be exact, are now adults doing anything to ensure they continue playing their respective sports at a high level so they can keep making that skrilla.

*Skrilla for the "ebonically" impaired is - money.

• You can pick up an urban dictionary at your local swap meet.

*A swap meet for the non-minority is...I kid! I kid!

It's actually really sad that parents put so much pressure on their children at such a young age, and it carries over to high school, college, and for those select few - into the pros.

So as society wades through the steroid era of sports, I for one wish everybody would just come clean. I am pretty sure the next Jose Canseco snitch will come out the wood work soon enough, so before your name ___________ (insert name athlete) is put on front street by the next Canseco wanna-be, just come clean, apologize, and move on with your life. After all, you don't want to wait and find yourself having to turn in your Heisman Trophy, losing scholarships, all of the above, or worse - find yourself in front of a jury and judge a-la Roger Clemens.

You know, the penalty for using a PED varies per sport, but going back to UFC and how they are handling the Sonnen issue. He is facing a one-year suspension with a $2,500 fine.

Are you kidding me?

I think I got that for running a red light in West Covina, CA!!!!

Just short of making the penalty for using a PED continuously more severe, I for one do not know what the answer is. Now, I am not going to sit here and profess to have a solution - or the solution. At the end of the day folks, I think you will agree with me when I say the following:

"Athletes alike - nothing will ever change until you look in the mirror and realize the harm you are doing to yourselves, which then affect others (i.e family, friends, fans, owners).

We, your family, your friends, your fans, will forever live in the shadow of the "steroid era" and each of you will forever be on much less borrowed time than what God initially had allotted you to have.

At the end of the day - is the juice really worth the squeeze?"

Well - is it?

I would love to hear from anyone who can talk about their experience using a PED, or from anyone who knows someone who has. If my rational is off base, please comment and let me know your opinion on the matter.

Either way, the human race is in dire need of an intervention, and consequently, the sports I love so much have been affected by such drugs.

Where is Dr. Dre folks - our athletes are in need of a DETOX!

*DETOX - if you don't know Dr. Dre or the Detox reference - Google it!

Posted in: Chael Sonnen,Dr. Dre,Golf,HGH,MLB,NFL,PED's,UFC