When news broke that Steelers offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert had been suspended four games by the NFL for testing positive for performance enhancing substances, the first thing many fans no doubt thought was that Gilbert was obviously using steroids.
But anabolic steroids are only a small part of the NFL's lengthy banned PED list. And, in fact, many of the substances banned by the league are things than can be purchased over the counter at a local drug store. The list of banned substances listed on the NFL Players Association website includes more than five pages of substances, from anabolic agents such as androstenediol to pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient in over-the-counter cold medicines such as Sudafed and Actifed. Also included are masking agents, substances used to help users hide the presence of a steroid in their system.
It is not known for which substance Gilbert tested positive, but he had missed five games and most of a sixth this season because of a hamstring injury. He suffered the injury in Week 2 against Minnesota, then sat out the next three weeks before returning to play two series against the Kansas City Chiefs Oct. 15. He left that game after aggravating the injury and returned to play Nov. 12 at Detroit.
Players are automatically suspended for four games for the first positive test for a PED. This is different than a positive test for an illegal drug, such as marijuana, which counts only as a first strike under the league's substance abuse policy and places the player in a more stringent testing program.
While the list of substances banned by the NFL is lengthy, they are listed on the NFLPA website. And players are encouraged to contact the NFLPA if they have a question about a certain drug or supplement.
The NFLPA site also includes a link to a U.S. Food & Drug Administration website, which lists a number of products that are known to include hidden substances.
Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, players are solely responsible for what they put in their body.
