Weight-Loss Pills Lead to Positive Tests

A significant number of NFL players have tested positive under the league's steroid policy because of their use of weight-loss pills containing a substance banned by the league, sources familiar with the cases said yesterday.

A Denver television station, KDVR-TV, reported six to 10 players tested positive, including tailback Deuce McAllister and defensive end Will Smith of the New Orleans Saints. One to two other Saints players also tested positive, according to the report, which cited an NFL source.

Most of the players, including McAllister and Smith, tested positive for bumetanide, described as a drug used to treat fluid retention. The diuretic reportedly also can be used as a steroid-masking agent and is on the NFL's list of banned substances. According to the report, bumetanide belongs to a group of medicines called loop diuretics, or water pills.

Sources familiar with the case confirmed the report. The players are subject to possible suspensions, pending appeals.

Players were unaware in many of the cases the weight-loss pills they were using contained a banned substance, said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of confidentiality issues. The league's steroid policy holds players accountable for what they ingest, even unknowingly. But the sources said the players might attempt to negotiate lesser penalties with the league, such as increased testing, by demonstrating that the weight-loss pills they were taking did not have any banned substances on the label.

An NFL spokesman said the league had no comment.

Attorney David Cornwell, who frequently represents NFL players in drug-testing cases, said in a telephone interview that he'd been "retained to represent a number of players" involved in the case.

"The recent reports about pending appeals by players who are alleged to have used weight-loss supplements reflect the most egregious violation of the NFL steroid policy," Cornwell said in a written statement. "The foundation of the policy is both a player's right to appeal and an absolute right to confidentiality. By leaking this story, the 'source' is clearly attempting to put their thumb on the scale [of] justice and harm these men."

Ravens' Suggs Is Warned

The NFL notified Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs any further public comments or on-field activity indicating his involvement in bounties could result in "significant disciplinary action." Suggs was not suspended or fined for his recent comments in a radio interview that the Ravens had bounties on Pittsburgh tailback Rashard Mendenhall and wide receiver Hines Ward in a game earlier this season. Suggs issued a statement through the Ravens saying he "misspoke." . . . .

Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes will be on the inactive list for tomorrow's game against the New York Giants. Holmes reportedly will face a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession after his vehicle was stopped Thursday by police officers who found three marijuana-filled cigars in the vehicle. . . .

Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was fined a total of $45,000 by the NFL for his actions during last Sunday's game. Burress was fined $20,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and $20,000 for critical postgame comments about the officiating. He also was fined $5,000 for throwing the ball into the stands.