For Love of The Game?

We've all heard the names. We all know the faces. Some of the biggest names in the history of sports have been linked to steroid use, forever changing the public's perception of their achievements on the field and their lives off the field. Athletes like Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, and Roger Clemens have all had their legacies questioned because of possible steroid use. The the obvious answer to the question of "why would someone want to cheat" is because of greed. Greed to be the best, greed to get that new contract, greed to make it to the hall of fame. Everyone knows at least one of the consequences of taking steroids, whether it be physical or mental.

Season after season, Barry Bonds was a hero in bay area sports lore. Although he was infamous for a less then friendly relationship with the media and fans, his performance and statistics on the baseball diamond were second to none. Baseballs all-time home run leader is now being indicted by the government on perjury charges because a former teammate allegedly witnessed Bonds' steroid use.

*Barry Bonds in his early years versus his later years.

Mark McGuire is virtually never going to make it to baseball's hall of fame because of the stance he's taking in addressing this issue. His stance is that he doesn't have a stance. When he was before a congressional council several years ago to be questioned about his alleged steroid use, most of the questions he was asked would be answered with "I'm not here to talk about the past." To the viewing public, that statement, which isn't denying or admitting anything, virtually denied his admittance into the the hall of fame in Cooperstown Illinois.

If you asked baseball historian who the greatest pitcher of all time is, many would argue the case for Roger Clemens. It's alleged that he used steroids during the latter years of his playing career, and many of his greatest professional moments were compromised by steroid use.

All three of these players had great moments in their careers. All three of these players have obviously gotten larger as their careers have progressed as seen in photos of these athletes in their rookie years versus the last of their careers. Now their being perceived as fakes, as jokes, and many people want to forget this ever put on a uniform. None of these players have ever acknowledged that they knowingly took steroids, but the damage has been done, and their legacies have been tarnished forever. Other players like Jose Canseco have publicly acknowledged their steroid use, and in Canseco's case, naming other players who have done it in tell all books.

Their are much larger consequences then just a tarnished legacy and public perception. As mentioned, everyone has heard at least on physical or mental consequence in relation to steroids. Lyle Alzado was famous and productive defensive end in the National Football League for fourteen years. He won a Superbowl with the Los Angeles Raiders, however he is more famous, or perhaps infamous for his admitted steroid used. Alzado was diagnosed with a brain tumor, that eventually cost him his life, and shortly before his death he came clean about his steroid use which he said started back in his college days and never stopped.

*Alzado on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Alzado said the following in an article with Sports Illustrated shortly before his death. "I started taking anabolic steroids in 1969 and never stopped. It was addicting, mentally addicting. Now I'm sick, and I'm scared. Ninety percent of the athletes I know are on the stuff. We're not born to be 300 lbs or jump 30 ft. But all the time I was taking steroids, I knew they were making me play better. I became very violent on the field and off it. I did things only crazy people do. Once a guy sideswiped my car and I beat the hell out of him. Now look at me. My hair's gone, I wobble when I walk and have to hold on to someone for support, and I have trouble remembering things. My last wish? That no one else ever dies this way." Alzado died at age 43.

What's the most dangerous thing about steroids is that it's spread to the youth of our country. Gone are the days of some meat head at the gym selling you a syringe and a bottle of juice. This stuff has now spread to high schools, and his costing teenagers their lives, and leaving their ailing families left behind to pick of the pieces. Steroids are being addressed by the government, and hopefully will become a thing of the past. The list of athletes who have done steroids goes on and on. Sports leagues now have tougher and more frequent testing for steroid users and gradually we here less and less about it. What we're all waiting for is for that talk finish.
Photo Credits:
http://www.isteroids.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/steroids.jpg
http://r_harrison.tripod.com/Agonist/BarryBonds.jpg
http://fahrenheit.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/lyle-alzado-steroids.jpg
Alzado Quote:
http://www.usefultrivia.com/celebrity_trivia/sports_celebrity_trivia_008a.html