Info on the suspension hearings

CORNWELL SAYS NFL FAILED TO WARN PLAYERS THAT STARCAPS CONTAINS BUMETANIDE
Posted by Mike Florio on November 19, 2008, 8:38 a.m.
A source with knowledge of the situation tells us that the appeal hearing arising from the four-game suspensions of Saints running back Deuce McAllister and defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith lasted until midnight on Tuesday. And, based on a statement released by lawyer David Cornwell, the marathon session apparently contained some fireworks.

The case comes down to the question of whether the Saints players will be suspended for taking StarCaps, a weight-loss supplement that was spiked with Bumetanide, a potent diuretic and a substance that the NFL has banned. StarCaps doesn’t disclose Bumetanide as an ingredient, and the company that distributes StarCaps has “temporarily” suspended shipments due to lawsuits filed by Saints guard Jamar Nesbit and Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jackson.

Cornwell contends that Dr. John Lombardo, the administrator of the NFL’s policy regarding anabolic steroids and related substances, testified during the hearing that he learned in late 2006 of the presence of Bumetanide in StarCaps. Lombardo, per Cornwell, did not share this information with NFL players, because Lombardo feared that other players testing positive for Bumetanide would claim that they were taking StarCaps, even if they weren’t.

Says Cornwell: “Dr. Lombardo’s failure to disclose what he knew about StarCaps may have exposed NFL players to the significant health risks associated with the unintentional ingestion of diuretics. If Dr. Lombardo had notified NFL players that StarCaps contained bumetanide, Will, Deuce and Charles would have never used the product to lose weight.”

Assuming that Cornwell’s characterization of the testimony is accurate, the Saints players apparently have turned the tables on Lombardo, making it very difficult for the league to suspend these players, or any other players who are facing suspensions for taking StarCaps, including Vikings defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams.

Lawyers... man do they know how to twist and turn.

This is huge news. So, the NFL, approved the product. The NFL later found out that the company began spiking the product. The NFL rather than tell the players it was spiked, withheld the information so that people testing positive couldn't try to use the starcaps defense. They put their players health and livelihood in danger. When I say livelihood, look at Nesbit, the man lost his starting job. If a guy like Charleston tests positive, he may never play in the NFL again. This is a sad day for the NFL. If they suspend these players, it will be a very sad day for the NFL.

Sounds like one heck of a closing arguement to me!!

Cool .... another Al Davis style lawsuit against the NFL ..... sweet indeed it is as they (NFL) should be made accountable just as Goodell made players accountable. I can see the dollar signs ring up and the lawyers lining up for the kill.

So maybe some good news soon.