NFL player has 'heard' of Viagra use to gain edge on field
CHICAGO (AP) - The idea that NFL players might use Viagra to gain an edge on the field left Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs practically in tears - from laughing.
He wasn't the only one.
Players cracked jokes about it Thursday, a day after Bears star receiver Brandon Marshall said he had heard that some players were using Viagra and hoping it would give them an advantage during games. Punch lines aside, experts say it's unlikely the erectile-dysfunction drug would help.
"What would that do? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," Minnesota Vikings long snapper Cullen Loeffler said.
Bears defensive back D.J. Moore wondered if Marshall was kidding and said: "I've never heard of that."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Viagra is not a banned substance and declined further comment.
Marshall started it all Wednesday when asked about a growing number of suspensions tied to amphetamines, including the ADHD drug Adderall. He said he didn't know much about Adderall, but suggested Viagra could be viewed by players as a way to boost their energy.
"I know guys, it's such a competitive league, and guys try anything just to get that edge," he said. "I've heard of guys using Viagra, seriously, because the blood, it's supposed to thin. I don't know. Some crazy stuff. It's kind of scary with some of these chemicals that are in some of these things, so you have to be careful."
But using Viagra for more touchdowns and tackles?
"I didn't even know people could do that," New York Giants tight end Martellus Bennett said. And his teammate Justin Tuck added: "I can't imagine why people would take steroids, so I have no comment on Viagra. Besides, my wife would be very upset with me."
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday, a 15-year NFL veteran, said some of his teammates were talking about Marshall's Viagra remarks but he had never heard of such a thing himself.
"I don't understand what good it would do," he said.
Dr. Olivier Rabin, science director at the World Anti-Doping Agency in Montreal, said it is unlikely Viagra does anything to improve football performance in NFL players. He also said there is no evidence the drug might somehow mask the use of steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.
Rabin noted that research in high altitudes found the drug helped improve oxygen flow in climbers with impaired lung function. That's because Viagra can dilate blood vessels, and vessels in the lung constrict in high altitudes.
Research involving cyclists at high altitudes found similar benefits, but Rabin said studies have shown the drug has no effect on athletic performance at sea level.
University of Miami researcher Kevin Jacobs has studied Viagra in simulated high-altitude environments and "didn't find much benefit in young, healthy, active individuals."
"No one has really tested it in football players doing exercise. Whatever benefit they think they're getting is probably more psychological than anything," said Jacobs, an associate professor in the kinesiology and sport sciences department.
Marshall said he doesn't take medication "of any sort" and noted that the NFL's drug policy is strict.
"Any time you take anything over the counter, if you don't approve it with your training room, you can get popped," he said. "Some of it's fair, but some of it kind of puts you in a tough spot as a professional athlete. Because the only thing you'll see is getting busted for PEDs, but it could be something over the counter for a little sickness. You just have to be on top of your Ps and Qs."
He wasn't the only one.
Players cracked jokes about it Thursday, a day after Bears star receiver Brandon Marshall said he had heard that some players were using Viagra and hoping it would give them an advantage during games. Punch lines aside, experts say it's unlikely the erectile-dysfunction drug would help.
"What would that do? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," Minnesota Vikings long snapper Cullen Loeffler said.
Bears defensive back D.J. Moore wondered if Marshall was kidding and said: "I've never heard of that."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Viagra is not a banned substance and declined further comment.
Marshall started it all Wednesday when asked about a growing number of suspensions tied to amphetamines, including the ADHD drug Adderall. He said he didn't know much about Adderall, but suggested Viagra could be viewed by players as a way to boost their energy.
"I know guys, it's such a competitive league, and guys try anything just to get that edge," he said. "I've heard of guys using Viagra, seriously, because the blood, it's supposed to thin. I don't know. Some crazy stuff. It's kind of scary with some of these chemicals that are in some of these things, so you have to be careful."
But using Viagra for more touchdowns and tackles?
"I didn't even know people could do that," New York Giants tight end Martellus Bennett said. And his teammate Justin Tuck added: "I can't imagine why people would take steroids, so I have no comment on Viagra. Besides, my wife would be very upset with me."
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday, a 15-year NFL veteran, said some of his teammates were talking about Marshall's Viagra remarks but he had never heard of such a thing himself.
"I don't understand what good it would do," he said.
Dr. Olivier Rabin, science director at the World Anti-Doping Agency in Montreal, said it is unlikely Viagra does anything to improve football performance in NFL players. He also said there is no evidence the drug might somehow mask the use of steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.
Rabin noted that research in high altitudes found the drug helped improve oxygen flow in climbers with impaired lung function. That's because Viagra can dilate blood vessels, and vessels in the lung constrict in high altitudes.
Research involving cyclists at high altitudes found similar benefits, but Rabin said studies have shown the drug has no effect on athletic performance at sea level.
University of Miami researcher Kevin Jacobs has studied Viagra in simulated high-altitude environments and "didn't find much benefit in young, healthy, active individuals."
"No one has really tested it in football players doing exercise. Whatever benefit they think they're getting is probably more psychological than anything," said Jacobs, an associate professor in the kinesiology and sport sciences department.
Marshall said he doesn't take medication "of any sort" and noted that the NFL's drug policy is strict.
"Any time you take anything over the counter, if you don't approve it with your training room, you can get popped," he said. "Some of it's fair, but some of it kind of puts you in a tough spot as a professional athlete. Because the only thing you'll see is getting busted for PEDs, but it could be something over the counter for a little sickness. You just have to be on top of your Ps and Qs."
I wouldn't want to be in that locker room.
Maybe it would help them if they put the cheerleaders in the end zone? Score? hmmmm, so many possibilities, so little time.
 @Susabelle If you followed the stories about Ndamukong Suh of the Detroit Lions kicking Houston QB Matt Schaub in the groin, you might have been as surprised as I was to learn that most NFL players do not wear protective cups out there, in games or during practice.Â
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So much information is coming out now about the long-term effects of multiple concussions, effects that begin even decades after the last significant head injury.
Maybe if they protected their jewels a lot better in their youth, they wouldn't need so much Viagra in their later years to keep the motor functioning properly?Â
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 @MargeGunderson I didnt follow that story, dont even think I can pronounce that name. I wonder if there is a correlation? Well, if there is, you can bet the guys will do something about it quick......I think they would rather loose a limb and brain function over that other member....
 @Susabelle Well, there is that, but loss of sensation on areas of the skull and/or scalp has fewer secondary repercussions than loss of sensation, er, elsewhere...Â
 @MargeGunderson *shudder* I wonder if they build up a resistance. I mean it no longer hurts me to get my hair pulled (I have 3 sisters).Â
 @Susabelle You would think so, but apparently the competitive edge they feel they need to compete at that level must trump even their love for their little one-eyed buddy.
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First, anyone who's played even college level will tell you all sorts of horrible things go on in those piles when they're all diving for and fighting for possession of a loose ball. (loose football, that is...)
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But even if everyone played perfectly clean and nice, an unintentional knee or helmet landing squarely in the fun zone with 200-350 pounds of weight driving it isn't going to feel any better than someone taking a cheap shot.Â
When they go down they will go down hard>>>
I think somebody is confused about NFL regulations. The ball has to break the plane of the end zone to score a touchdown, not the player's balls, so they aren't gaining an inch or two advantage.Â
ummm...i'd rather see something else cross the goal line. thank you.
I can see it giving them an edge.
Who wants to tackle a guy with a boner?
 @SkagitPat I wouldn't mind it a bit! :^D
 @MargeGunderson  @SkagitPat dirty dirty girl
 @Larry*X*K  @SkagitPat Yeah, OK, I admit it, but you'd be just as happy to wander accidentally into the cheerleaders' locker room, right? :^D
 @SkagitPat There is plenty of grabbing below the waist down going on in football already
Guess they're no longer gonna be looking at the butts! Man you thought those pants were uncomfortable before. Well I guess it works, football was always a game of inches.
Gives stiff arming a whole another meaning! PUN INTENDED.
Hmm, with that title, what kind of football are they playing....Â