Believe it or not, I have not ever used steroids. I am not trying to blanketly defend the use of steroids, only try to put their use in proportion to other things. I firmly believe that when used properly, steroids have a great benefit to an athlete, not only in performance, but in health and recovery. I do acknowledge the risk that steroids have, especially to teenagers, but I feel that the risks to grown men are greatly exaggerated.

I consider no records tainted because of steroid use, but respect the illegality of them and will not openly support anyone who has tested positive for using anything illegal at the time of their negative test. I still respect and acknowledge the athlete’s accomplishments, but will no longer endorse an athlete who has tested positive.

I don’t believe that steroids improve your ability to play a sport. I believe they improve your ability to play a sport to the best of your skills. Steroids don’t make you hit a baseball better, they won’t improve your jump shot, they don’t make you throw a better spiral, catch a ball better, shoot a puck better, or read a putt better. They do make you better able to recover from your training and put you in a position to be a better overall athlete.

The bottom line is that steroids are banned in all sports and illegal to possess or use without a valid prescription in the United States. I support their ban, but will not refuse to recognize what has already been accomplished.

As for Barry Bonds, the reason I support him more than others is because I believe he is treated disproportionally to his peers. There have been admitted steroid users, and athletes who have tested positive who don’t receive anywhere near the treatment he does. Because I find this unfair, I tend to overly support and defend him. I’ve met Bonds and interviewed him at length, and found him to be very personable and pleasant, so I will also not bash him for his perceived attitude problems. I’ve met too many athletes to judge them on anything other than the way they treated me. I’m going with my personal experiences over someone elses.

I will continue to try to document relevant stories on steroids, but to be clear, I am not endorsing their use, nor calling for their across the board legality. But I will continue to support any athlete with no positive tests and no admittance of guilt.

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