Hollis Thomas Suspended For Violating The League's Drug Policy

Rome · December 05, 2006, 04:34:07 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2687451

Feva · December 05, 2006, 04:35:19 PM

Since when did cheeseburgers become illegal?

Rome · December 05, 2006, 04:36:45 PM

I was thinking Mayo personally, but that sucks for big Hollis. Dog follows the rules to the letter yet still gets popped.

Yay NFL.

Diomedes · December 05, 2006, 04:53:43 PM

Quote..Thomas has severe asthma problems and requires a high dose of inhaled steroids to breathe. According to the doctor, Thomas needs a long acting beta agonist and a short acting beta agonist to control his asthma.

During his August drug test, the defensive tackle was taking an asthma product called Advair twice a day while also using an inhaler four times a day.

That amount of medication can't be healthy.

Seabiscuit36 · December 05, 2006, 04:59:29 PM

I only use Advair once a day

But im also no 400lbs. That is a raw deal, i would think he'll win his appeal

MDS · December 05, 2006, 05:00:06 PM

There is no way he makes it to 50.

Rome · December 05, 2006, 05:30:19 PM

The hypocrisy exhibited by the NFL is awe-inspiring. Here's a guy who is taking a legally-prescribed medication as treatment for a properly diagnosed medical condition and he gets suspended.

Meanwhile, every Sunday guys get loaded up on the hardest narcotic pain masking agents known to mankind so they'll be able to play that day.

It's insane.

MURP · December 05, 2006, 06:01:55 PM

poor decision by NFL.

The BIGSTUD · December 05, 2006, 06:48:55 PM

Will he have to retire? If they won't let him take his medication how will he play?

PhillyPhreak54 · December 05, 2006, 07:02:26 PM

Thats crap.

As much as I love NFL football they sure do some stupid shtein. Some of the rules are stupid, the TV rules are stupid and this drug policy is stupid too.

Geowhizzer · December 05, 2006, 07:33:28 PM

What utter horseshtein. A travesty of justice.

PhillyPhreak54 · December 05, 2006, 07:34:35 PM

QuoteNFL REJECTED THOMAS ASTHMA CLAIM

The agent for Saints defensive tackle Hollis Thomas has forwarded to us the text of the letter submitted to the NFL in October 2006 by the Saints' team physician, Dr. John Amoss.

Wrote Dr. Amoss: "I am the team physician of New Orleans Saints and this letter is to document that Hollis Thomas has severe asthma and requires high dose inhaled steroids, a long acting beta agonist and a short acting beta agonist to control to asthma. At the time of his drug test in August 2006, Hollis was taking Advair 500/50 twice daily along with singular 10 mg daily and albuterol inhaler four times daily. Hollis continues to be on this same drug regimen to control to asthma. Advair contains both the steroid fluticasone and the long acting beta agonist salmeterol. Hollis' urine drug test in August of 2006 was positive for clenbuterol which is a beta agonist. At the time of the test, Hollis was taking two beta agonist to control his asthma (albuterol and salmeterol) and the possibility of a false positive test in this case would appear to be highly plausible."

The fact that the team doctor vouched for Thomas but the appeal process nevertheless resulted in a four-game suspension tells us that the NFL is sticking by the notion, as emphasized in the policy, that players are responsible for what is in their bodies.

And unless the NFL decided that Thomas was using the asthma excuse to get away with cheating, the league's apparent decision to impose discipline on Thomas for taking medicine aimed at controlling a real medical condition could create potential issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or any comparable provision under Louisiana law.

Put simply, the law requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for any employee who has a disability. If asthma is regarded as a disability, and if Thomas has asked the NFL to soften its steroids policy based on his asthma so that he can take the medicine that he needs, Thomas might be able to file suit, if he so chooses.

And the potential damages would be his lost wages and, possibly, the injury to his reputation due to the branding of him as a steroids user. Also, the fact that he's already had one strike under the steroids policy could make him less marketable on the free agent market in 2007.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement could limit the options in this regard, but Article IX of the CBA, which sets forth non-injury grievance procedure, does not contain a "clear and unmistakable waiver" of statutory human rights claims, which could make it easier for Thomas to file a legal action.

So Thomas possibly could sue, if he chooses to do so. If, of course, the goal is to continue to participate in the playing of professional football, he might want to consider the potential connection between any lawsuit he files and the convenient lack of interest in his services for next season and beyond.

Apart from the lawsuit angle, why wouldn't the NFL want one of its players with asthma to be able to take his medicine? Does the name Korey Stringer ring any bells?

NFL = jackasses

rjs246 · December 05, 2006, 11:42:30 PM

Or maybe he is a roid monkey. Who cares.

General_Failure · December 06, 2006, 05:24:54 AM

Hollis on the roids? Not unless someone laced his diamonds with them.

Seabiscuit36 · December 06, 2006, 06:59:26 AM

He should sue.