While the league’s policy is still being contested in court by NFL players, the union expressed its support for maintaining the existing steroid policy of the NFL. Sports news agencies anticipated the breakdown of more than a decade of good relationship between the players union and the league due to the StarCaps case. The recent decision of the court on the suit filed by Pat and Kevin Williams against the league threatens its power to police players who are in violation of their steroid policy. League’s official also expressed some concern on the stand of the union since it supported the players’ action. But the announcement of NFL and the players union of the memorandum prove that their relationship will not be affected by issues involving their players.

The joint memo was signed by Commissioner Roger Goodell of the NFL and Union Chief DeMaurice Smith. The memo was addressed to the players emphasizing that the steroid policy of the league is still in place and reaffirms their support on the existing policy. There were previous reports that the NFL is planning to outsource the steroid testing program due to cases filed by players in courts. According to NYTimes, Goddel asked Smith to join him in sending the memo and both agreed on its language and terms.

The memo reminded its players that it is still their responsibility to know what they are taking. It also emphasized that the players will not be excused if the league will find a supplement containing a banned substance. Players who will be taking supplements not on the approved list of the league will be taking it at their own risk.

The memo also states that, “It is important for all players to understand that the Policy on Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances remains in place and that you will be tested this year just as you have been in other years, and a positive test will generally result in a suspension.”

Meanwhile, 2 more players were suspended by the league for violating the policy on anabolic steroid and related substances. St. Louis Rams linebacker David Vobora and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Shaun Smith were suspended four games for violating the league’s policy.

In the report of NationalFootballPost, the 4-game suspension was due to a tainted supplement. This was according to Marc Lillibridge, the agent of Vobora. “David did everything by the book in regards to investigating this supplement before he began using this product,” said Lillibridge. He also added that Vobora inquired about the ingredients of the supplement on the NFL supplement hotline but he was told that none of those products would produce a positive test.

Lillibridge said that they contested the test result but the NFL stands firm on its policy that a player is ultimately responsible for what they ingest. The Rams linebacker is expected to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the supplement.

MLive reported that Shaun Smith took an over-the-counter water pill. Although it was not a performance-enhancing substance, diuretics usually contain ingredients or substances banned by the league. Smith was considered as the most important free agent acquisition of the Lions this year. The Detroit Lions released him due to his suspension but other teams still showed some interest in signing him. If a team decided to include Smith in their roster, he can only play on game 5 since he has to serve his suspension.

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