It was reported earlier this week by The Associated Press that Vikings defensive linemen Pat and Kevin Williams will meet with league officials this week to appeal their suspensions after testing positive for a banned weight-loss diuretic commonly used to mask steroid use.
The Williams' will be appealing a potential four-game suspension from the league along with six other NFL players, including New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister and defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith.
The story was first reported in late October by Fox Sports' Jay Glazer. Six to eight NFL players all tested positive for known steroid-masking agent bumetanide, which later was reported to be an unlisted ingredient in a weight-loss pill called StarCaps. The makers of StarCaps have since seized shipment of the product since the allegation.
Players will appeal to the NFL officials this week that they were simply taking a weight loss pill to maintain weight standards. However, the NFL policy states "the use of so-called 'blocking' or 'masking' agents is prohibited by this policy. These include diuretics or water pills, which have been used in the past by some players to reach an assigned weight. Players are responsible for what is in their bodies."
No word yet on when a league decision will be announced.
-Daniel Beer
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