Post by lazarus on May 19, 2005 14:39:39 GMT -5
SEE YA LATER, WHIZZINATOR
Vikings running back Onterrio Smith has been suspended for the 2005 season by the NFL. The specific reason for the suspension was not released.
In theory, the fake thingy found last month in Smith's makeup kit should have triggered no league action, since the testing collection procedures supposedly (or "supposably," if you're in Pittsburgh) render a phony wee-wee spitting out clean urine roughly as effective as a Pez dispenser full of lemon candies.
But as we recently 'splained, the crusty old men who are charged with the responsibility of obtaining samples aren't keen on the whole peep show thing, and as a result there's apparently plenty of play in the joints (pun intended) of the observation process.
Unless, however, the league is prepared to acknowledge that its protocols are less than perfect, we don't see how the NFL could have smacked Smith while at the same time preserving the illusion that the testing procedures were foolproof -- especially at a time when Congress continues to scrutinize the effectiveness of anti-doping efforts in pro sports.
Smith has had a history of off-field problems. He was kicked out of Tennessee for multiple rules violations, and his stay at Oregon was less-than-spotless. In 2004, he was suspended for four games after testing positive for a banned substance.
Vikings running back Onterrio Smith has been suspended for the 2005 season by the NFL. The specific reason for the suspension was not released.
In theory, the fake thingy found last month in Smith's makeup kit should have triggered no league action, since the testing collection procedures supposedly (or "supposably," if you're in Pittsburgh) render a phony wee-wee spitting out clean urine roughly as effective as a Pez dispenser full of lemon candies.
But as we recently 'splained, the crusty old men who are charged with the responsibility of obtaining samples aren't keen on the whole peep show thing, and as a result there's apparently plenty of play in the joints (pun intended) of the observation process.
Unless, however, the league is prepared to acknowledge that its protocols are less than perfect, we don't see how the NFL could have smacked Smith while at the same time preserving the illusion that the testing procedures were foolproof -- especially at a time when Congress continues to scrutinize the effectiveness of anti-doping efforts in pro sports.
Smith has had a history of off-field problems. He was kicked out of Tennessee for multiple rules violations, and his stay at Oregon was less-than-spotless. In 2004, he was suspended for four games after testing positive for a banned substance.