The Pros And Cons Of Steroids In Sports

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What exactly are steroids? According to Wikipedia, steroids are drugs used by some athletes to increase the size and strength of their muscles and improve endurance. Several stories of steroid usage in sports have made the news. Americans love sports, we idealize the players we watch. Young athletes look up to the artificially enhanced competitors they see on television. When those athletes are using steroids they are sending the message to their supporters that drugs are needed to become successful. Fans often get a false sense of what a true athlete is. So, do you think steroids in sports are okay? I, for one, do not think that steroids should be allowed in any athletic events. Some people may argue that steroids improve your endurance, build …show more content…

According to an article by the New York Daily between 10 and 40 percent of the athletes in the NFL use steroids. Every once in awhile, the NFL does surprise drug tests. An occurrence happened during the 2006 season, San Diego Chargers’ linebacker, Shawne Merriman, happened to fail a drug test and got suspended for four games. In 2005, during the suspected steroid use, Merriman was awarded NFL Defensive Rookie of the year, ranking in with a total of 54 tackles and 10 sacks. He also had a total of five defended passes and two forced fumbles. He was one of the starting players in 2005, and he lead his team in sacks in the 2006 season. This is an example of cheating through steroids. The incident, in which Merriman tested positive for steroids, lead to him being forbidden from being selected to the Pro Bowl that year. This rule that forbid him to be selected is referred to as the "Merriman Rule". Though they may improve your performance, they are cheating and you will be …show more content…

Some people get prescribed steroids to combat sickness, but when you distribute or illegally use these drugs you will be punished. In the United States steroids, when not prescribed by a doctor, are completely illegal. The Steroid Control Act of 2004 has placed steroids in the same category as amphetamines, methamphetamines, opium and morphine. Simply owning this drug is automatically a federal offense. According to Anabolics.com first time offenders, will receive a minimum $1,000 fine and up to one year in prison. Second time offenders, will be fined $2,500 or more with a maximum of a two year prison sentence. For third time offenders, the fine is doubled to a minimum of $5,000 and an extended prison time to a maximum of three years. Those charged with distributing this drug will receive a far more severe punishment. Failure to obey these laws can result in fines up to $250,000, and a five year prison sentence. Repetitive offenders may receive as much as ten years in prison, and a fine that is determined by the court. After the punishments the offender still has to deal with probation for a certain amount of time set by the court. They will now have to live with their permanent record for the rest of his or her life. Because of this, the person will lose their basic rights such as voting and gun ownership not to mention making it very difficult to get a job and simply being forced to live with a felony.

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