Should Athletes Serve Time for Using Performance-Enhancing Drugs?

With the explosive revelation that New York Yankees all-star Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003, baseball’s hideous past reared its ugly head again. Major League Baseball hasn’t had much luck in terms of deflecting bad press away in the light of rabid steroid use throughout its sport.

Barry Bonds trial for perjury starts Mar. 2 and news broke last week that charges were “coming soon” for pitcher Roger Clemens.

Baseball isn’t the only national sport suffering the consequences of drug use. Former track star Marion Jones recently served six months in prison for perjury and a check-fraud scam.

Jones was implicated in the BALCO scandal, which according to federal documents, serviced over 25 high profile current and former athletes.

Also implicated in the BALCO scandal was track star Tim Montgomery. Tim admitted to using steroids and human growth hormone, which resulted in a two-year ban from the sport.

But that’s not what got Timmy in trouble.

In April of 2007, Montgomery pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering and was sentenced to 46 months in jail. On top of that plea, Tim was busted for dealing heroin in May of 2008 and eventually charged and found guilty. He was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison.

With all of the additional charges added on to those who have been accused of using illegal performance enhancers, would the steroid charges stand alone in a court of law?

Better yet, should these athletes actually serve time in prison for such a minor offense?

Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds was called to testify in front of a grand jury on Dec. 4, 2003. During his testimony, Bonds stated that he unknowingly used the “cream” and “the clear,” which are both testosterone based drugs.

Once Bonds testimony leaked to the press, it was the beginning of his undoing. He went on to break Hank Aaron’s home run record, which is considered by most to be the most treasured record in all of sports.

But Bonds wasn’t celebrated for his feat because of the cloud of controversy surrounding steroids. Instead, he was indicted for obstruction of justice and four counts of perjury for possibly lying to a Grand Jury about his use of steroids.

The NFL

Within the investigation of BALCO was the revelation that 5 Oakland Raiders players were linked to steroids or some form of performance enhancing drugs. However, none of the NFL players implicated were given the same treatment as those within Major League Baseball.

Bill Romanowski, Tyrone Wheatley, Barrett Robbins, Chris Cooper, and Dana Stubblefield were all named in the federal investigation. While their names do not carry the same weight as a Barry Bonds or Roger Clemons, why are they given better treatment than those from Major League Baseball?

Have we seen an NFL player stand trial or serve time due to his connections with BACLO or steroids? Better yet, will they ever face a jury or judge due to their actions?

The Government

When the federal investigation into BALCO and its users is finally completed, will the time and money spent actually validate the exploration? Once the bodies are counted and the blood is wiped away from the floor, can we honestly say that this was a worthwhile foray into cleaning up the world of sports?

Are we really ok with sending athletes to prison for essentially attempting to gain an edge in their respective sports? Or do we actually believe that these men and women are going to jail for lying to the government?

While I am in no way condoning their actions for lying and cheating, I am questioning the government’s motives for wanting to put away only certain athletes.

In the end, are we able to say that sports is in a better position because of BALCO or in spite of BALCO?