NFL Players Pat & Kevin Williams Tested Positive for Banned Substance Bumetanide
It all started back in 2008 and the saga is still nowhere near its conclusion. Dubbed the “Williams Wall”, Defensive tackles for the Minnesota Viking, Pat and Kevin Williams (no relations) tested positive for the banned substance, Bumetanide, under the Notional Football League’s drug testing policy. Bumetanide, is used not only as a weight loss drug but also to mask the use of other substances by diluting the user’s urine content, making detection more difficult.
The Williams admitted to using “StarCaps,” a weight loss pill that contains the banned substance. The Food and Drug Administration removed StarCaps from the market after the undisclosed presence of Bumetanide was detected.
After the Williams tested positive for the banned substance, the NFL ‘tried’ to put a four game ban on the players back in 2008. The Williams took the decision to court with a stay on the ban until court proceedings concluded. Initially the four game bans were blocked in court but the decision was later overturned. That still didn’t stop the Williams. They appealed the decisions and avoided the bans once more.
The case has dragged on for 18 months now. Justifiably feeling powerless, the NFL lawyers were struck down again on Wednesday. Minnesota court of appeals has denied the NFL’s request to expedite the appeals of the Williams. The appeals court turned down their request because the NFL failed to demonstrate why their case should be given a higher priority than others. The NFL hoped to wind up the legal run-around before the 2010 Football season began.
With the NFL’s request denied and Judge Gary Larson clearly stating that the suspension of the two Vikings cannot be imposed, until the appeals process expires, it seems high likely that the Williams would play in 2010 season. It could be months before oral arguments are heard and another 90 days after the conclusion of oral arguments, until the court has to come to a decision. The ruling is not likely to come before next year.
The NFL could however argue that the Minnesota courts should not have blocked the suspension of the players. If they could convincingly make that case, the suspension could be imposed while the appeal is heard. The league said that they would look into all options, given NFL’s past legal woes in the Williams case.
For the 37 year old Pat Williams, the court decision means he might never have to face suspension. Even in the 2009 season, Pat expressed a desire to retire. This might very well be the veterans last year with the NFL and as things stand now; it seems this season would go smoothly for him.
The Williams have said that they were unaware that StarCaps contained Bumetanide. Their lawyers argued and the courts agreed that the NFL was in violation of Minnesota Laws, when it failed to give a notice to the Williams of their positive test results within three days. However, the court did not believe that the delay in informing the players brought any harm to them and thus was not reason enough to strike down the four game bans. That is the decision being appealed.
"We are confident that, no matter how many appeals the NFL files and no matter how much litigation the NFL pursues, the results will not change," said the attorney for both Williams.
Diuretics like Bumetanide are not performing enhancing drugs and the NFL has not accused either Pat or Kevin of using Bumetanide to mask steroid or drug use. Before StarCaps was recalled in November 2008, other NFL players were also tested positive for Bumentanide, after unknowingly using the substance. All of them have accepted the four game bans imposed by the NHL, except of course the Williams. Their saga continues.
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