Over the past 5 years there have been 82 suspensions in the NFL for performance-enhancing drugs
The NFL is a stickler when it comes to players taking performance enhancing drugs and they should be. The USA Today compiled a list of all the players who have been suspended as well as how many cases there have been since 2001. The number was pretty high!
Since 2001, NFL players have been suspended for performance-enhancing drugs and related substances at least 258 times, including at least 82 times in the past five years, according to a newly published database compiled by USA TODAY Sports. The violations have affected every team in the league and every position on the field, including players who have been named to the Pro Bowl and even long snappers, quarterbacks and at least one placekicker.
Is this really a huge problem? To be honest, it is pretty low if you ask me. The suspensions only represent around 1% or fewer of all NFL players each year.
According to the study, Defensive linemen (57) and linebackers (41) are the most common offenders, according to the database. Adderall is by far the most popular drug named by players. It comes up in at least 25 suspensions since 2009.
This article from the USA Today is amazing, you should check it out!
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