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Pat and Kevin Williams (not related) of the Minnesota Vikings sued the NFL over its anti-doping procedures over one year ago. The case finally went to trial Monday. The Associated Press reported that Kevin Williams testified Tuesday. During his time on the stand, Williams said he took StarCaps to "help me shed a couple extra pounds, for health reasons, keep coach off my back." Williams, 29, said he took the substance to get his playing weight down from 315 to 310, saying that his defensive line coach Karl Dunbar made him "feel read bad." He admitted to taking StarCaps at the start of training camp in 2007. Williams will be cross-examined by the NFL attorney on Wednesday.
The “Williams Wall” who both tested positive for the banned substance bumetanide, which can mask steroids, played every game last season while challenging the four-game suspensions that come with a positive test.
The NFL originally wanted the case decided in a federal court, but it went before a local judge in Minnesota. Home field advantage. A Minnesota judge said if the NFL is the employer, then the league is require to follow Minnesota state law. The Williamses’ suspensions have been on hold while legal challenges are decided.
The supplement the players claim to have taken is called StarCaps, which is an over-the-counter weight loss supplement. The players claimed they took the substance to meet a target weight and receive a $400,000 bonus. The two defensive tackles contend that the NFL is their employer therefore they have to comply with the Minnesota state law requiring three business days notice of a positive drug test.
During the opening day of the trial, Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that the trial featured “numerous interruptions” as lawyers argued over what evidence would be admitted during the trial. On Monday, only one witness testified. That witness, Dr. John Lombardo, who is the administrator of the NFL’s drug-testing policy, testified that six players tested positive for the same substance between 2006 and 2008. Lawyers reportedly also fought over the lack of a suspension for the players. The basic issue, as Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com put it, is whether the players will be suspended by the NFL for four games.
The case could force other sports leagues to abide by state drug testing laws as well. The NFL argues that the laws could affect their ability to enforce steroid and other drug testing rules.
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Matthew Coller is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network, and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter
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