Multiple Players Test Positive for Performance-Enhancing Drugs: 49ers Rocked by Doping Scandal

Multiple Players Test Positive for Performance-Enhancing Drugs: 49ers Rocked by Doping Scandal

 

Former San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Dana Stubblefield appeared in San Francisco federal court this morning and pleaded guilty to lying to federal agents about his use of performance-enhancing drugs in connection with the Balco steroid scandal.

The indictment, contained in a three-page document unsealed today, includes one allegation that Balco investigator Jeff Novitzky lied in November 2003 about receiving “clear” and EPO, a blood-thinning drug, from the lab. .Stubblefield, represented by Palo Alto attorney Michael Armstrong, pleaded guilty today before US District Judge Susan Illston.

Under the deal, Stubblefield faces six months in prison.He previously appeared before US Magistrate Elizabeth Laporte for prosecution. After a trial in federal court, Laporte pleaded not guilty, which he retracted when he appeared before Illston.Both he and his lawyer declined to comment outside the courtroom.The government alleges Stubblefield lied to Balco President Victor Conte about receiving performance-enhancing drugs just three days after the National Football League told him he tested positive for THG, a steroid known as “pure.” Stubblefield received a four-game suspension as a result of the test.Novitzky shook Sholkampo’s hand as they waited for the trial to begin.

The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year is the latest victim in the second chapter of the Balco scandal, which centers on the indictment of elite athletes accused of lying to federal agents. relationship to doping in baseball, track, football and other sports.

 

The Justice Department’s biggest target remains former San Francisco Giants shortstop Barry Bonds, who was indicted last fall on perjury and obstruction of justice charges for allegedly lying to a Balco grand jury in December 2003 about steroid use during the peak of his career . . Bonds, 43, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.Stubblefield, 37, was named the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year in 1997 when he had 15 sacks after a miserable 1996 season.

He was drafted by the 49ers in 1993. After 1997, he signed with the Washington Redskins and returned to San Francisco in 2001 and 2002 and played as a free agent with the Oakland Raiders in 2003.Stubblefield is currently the varsity defensive line coach at San Jose Valley Christian High School, which he entered in 2005, two years after retiring from professional football.Earlier this month, disgraced former Olympic track hero Marion Jones was jailed for six months for lying to the Balco inquiry about her steroid use after pleading guilty to perjury.

Former track coach Trevor Graham and world-class cyclist Tammy Thomas are also awaiting trial in San Francisco federal court on charges of lying during the Balco investigation. This is further proof of the government’s intention to punish athletes who did not tell the truth about their doping.

Balco asked.The Balco case stems from an attack more than five years ago on a Burlingame lab that was later linked to dozens of athletes accused of using steroids to boost their careers.

Former Balco President Victor Conte and Balco Vice President James Valente later pleaded guilty to steroid distribution charges and served months in prison.Balco-affiliated Bonds’ personal trainer Greg Anderson also pleaded guilty to steroid use. Anderson also spent about a year in federal prison for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating Bond’s perjury charges..