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Courson wrote on NFL steroids

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In the months before his death in 2005, former NFL lineman Steve Courson wrote a 5,000-word letter expressing disappointment that more players weren't open about their steroid use and saying the league's enormous popularity relies on a "myth" of its players as drug-free heroes. "I believe the NFL is a prisoner to their own public relations myth," Courson said in the letter, which was found on the computer of his western Pennsylvania home after he was crushed to death at age 50 by a tree he was cutting down. The level of deception and exploitation that the NFL requires to do business still amazes me." Frank, personal and philosophical, the letter amounts to a treatise from the grave. Courson, who became one of professional sports' first steroids whistle blowers by detailing his use in a 1985 Sports Illustrated interview, wrote the letter to a former Pittsburgh Steelers teammate he played with on Super Bowl-winning teams in 1978 and 1979. Chaney believes Courson never sent it because it was unfinished.

Los Angeles Times

NFL, Doug Pensinger/Getty Images NFL, Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Comments (52) Add A Comment

July 3, 2008  07:43 AM ET
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There is no reason not to believe everything he said, or Jon Jansen's original statement. You only find what you are looking for specifically in steroid testing by the league, and they are not interested in going through what baseball has gone through. But someday the NFL will have to, it is just a matter of time.

July 3, 2008  08:05 AM ET
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The Steelers were given that Super Bowl against the Seahawks. All of you Steeler fans know it was obviously horrible officiating.

July 3, 2008  08:40 AM ET
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The Steelers were given that Super Bowl against the Seahawks. All of you Steeler fans know it was obviously horrible officiating.

Pittsburghisdone!!!!!! | 07/03/08, 08:05 AM

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

July 3, 2008  08:50 AM ET
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at least now offensive linemen are no longer 245 pound Greek Gods chiseled (sp?) like Zeus. Now they are exactly how they are supposed to be....big and fat.

July 3, 2008  08:58 AM ET
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I have the attitude anymore that all professional athletes are on the juice.

July 3, 2008  09:16 AM ET
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NFL is a huge steroid league. Youre telling me that guys that are 6'4 255lbs can run 4.4 40's and not be stiff thats funny as hell. These guys have so much money they can get away with it.

July 3, 2008  09:24 AM ET
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Who outside of NFL Security, NFL Public Relations and the NFL commissioner Mr Haney actually thinks the NFL is steroid/HGH/Viagra free????

July 3, 2008  09:57 AM ET
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Who outside of NFL Security, NFL Public Relations and the NFL commissioner Mr Haney actually thinks the NFL is steroid/HGH/Viagra free????

ghostofthebabe | 07/03/08, 09:24 AM
"Ward you're being too hard on the Beaver" !!!

July 3, 2008  10:04 AM ET
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WOW !!

July 3, 2008  10:06 AM ET
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Earth-shattering news report: Steroids in football!!!! No way!!!!

July 3, 2008  10:10 AM ET
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Remember the book and movie "North Dallas 40?" It was all true, and it's even worse today as medicine and technology are both so much more advanced, and the money is so much more.

July 3, 2008  10:18 AM ET
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Steroids in football

Randy White
Keith Bishop
Mark Schlereth
Randy Grimes
All Pittsburgh OL in 80's - early 90's
...

July 3, 2008  10:29 AM ET
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hey pittsburghisdone,you didn't see the super bowl XL did you?You must have missed the missed field goals and all the dropped passes and the drive right before half time where the 'Hawks WASTED about 90 seconds of clock time.Bottom line,there are very few teams you will beat scoring 10 points in a super bowl,Pittsburgh, or any other AFC team that year in the playoffs included.

July 3, 2008  10:34 AM ET
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I am sure they are all pushing the envelope...and some go over the line. Is this really news?

July 3, 2008  10:35 AM ET
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Hmmm..........yes..yes..yes...Steroids in the NFL...ok.........

But anyone else find the way Courson died...being crushed by a tree he himself cut down...absolutely right out of a Tom&Jerry cartoon?

I guess you cant just blow in your thumb and inflate yourself back to health after that.

July 3, 2008  10:45 AM ET
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"I used it to recover from injuries ..."

Love,
Terry Bradshaw

July 3, 2008  11:05 AM ET
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"I was just really angry ... "

Love,
Bill Romanowski

July 3, 2008  11:06 AM ET
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"I just have an awesome offseason program ... "

Love,
Terrell Owens

July 3, 2008  12:26 PM ET
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"I feel stronger and faster, especially when it comes to power and doing a lot of power stuff,"

Love,
DeMarcus Ware

 
July 3, 2008  01:19 PM ET
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What is the story? No kidding their are roids in the nfl................Is anyone nieve enough to think there isnt?

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