Federal judge blocks NFL from suspending five players

[JohnS.]

Associated Press

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A federal judge has blocked the NFL from suspending five players for violating the league's anti-doping policy.

U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson said Friday he needed more time to consider the case after hearing several hours of arguments from the league and the NFL Players Association.

The league released the following statement in response to the ruling:

"Judge Magnuson made clear this afternoon that he needed more time to fully and carefully consider all of the briefs, arguments, and cases put before him. We welcome that scrutiny. We are confident that, once he has had an opportunity to review all of the relevant materials, including the Collective Bargaining Agreement, he will uphold our longstanding agreements with the NFLPA that protect the health and safety of NFL players and the integrity of our game."

Kevin Williams and Pat Williams of the Minnesota Vikings, and Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister and Will Smith of the New Orleans Saints all were suspended this week for four games. They tested positive for a banned diuretic in the dietary supplement StarCaps.

The union has argued the NFL didn't properly inform players about the substance. The NFL's attorneys argued that claim, and others, had been considered and rejected in a process set out by the league's collective bargaining agreement.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

Credit: NFL.com

Pretty hot topic right now in the NFL. What do you guys think about it?

[Ian "Wolfie" Trumps]

The Vikings should be docked all their wins...end of story...

[TheEnigmaticOne]

I agree with the Union.

The substance used by McAllister and Smith were typical weight loss substances.

Yes they are prime suspects of blocking steroid use on tests.

But at the same time...both of these players have been battling weight issues throughout their careers. Both of them actually have weight clauses in their contracts.

The NFL didn't properly inform the loophole of using those substances...and the consequences and suspicions that using them brings. Which leaves Smith and McAllister in the dark.

Logically...They were taking them for their true purpose. Not to mask anything illegal. Deuce hasn't gotten any bigger muscle wise or faster in his tenure with the Saints...But weight has been a constant issue throughout the years.

These guys were just trying to meet their contract agreements and keep their employment. The NFL was wrong to slap them with penalties without investigating first.