Suspensions for Erections?

I have been blown away by the lack of media attention on all the four-game suspensions given to NFL players this year.    Most of them seem to be from using the drug Adderall.   Not really known to build size or increase speed, I think once again the athletes know something that science does not.  It’s also another reason that we physicians should restrict our prescriptions of this medicine, especially in adults.  It’s obvious that it has a large black market value.   In that same vein (no pun intended), it seems Viagra may be the newest PED (performance enhancing drug).  Well, I guess by definition it has always been a performance enhancing drug but not for on-field play.   Here is are tidbits from the article:

• “I’ve heard of some crazy stories. I’ve heard (of) guys using like Viagra, seriously. Because the blood is supposedly thin, some crazy stuff. So, you know, it’s kind of scary with some of these chemicals that are in some of these things so you have to be careful.” Brandon Marshall
• And we thought the excuse Richard Sherman reportedly gave for his positive drug test was bizarre.
• In 2008, The New York Times discussed the performance-enhancing advantages of Viagra. Viagra dilates blood vessels and increases oxygenation, which could boost a player’s performance, particularly in a city like Denver where the elevation is a major factor.

My only hope is that they start wearing cups in their jock straps again or some of those tackles could get awkward.

The NFL is going to deny that Viagra has any benefits.  Just watch. Give it a few years and we’ll see the evidence.    Trust me when I say that the athletes who cheat always know what works.