Six Seattle Seahawks Have Tested Positive for PED’s Since 2011

May 10, 2013; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Jared Smith (66) waits to snap the ball during a rookie minicamp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

It is pretty obvious that Performance Enhancing Drugs and players getting arrested, is a problem, not only in the world of professional football, but every college or professional sport there is.

The Detroit Lions as of right now lead the league in arrests, it’s not a real stat but, when it continues to happen over and over, it starts to make your team look bad, which is not good for business. You are a professional, so act like it.

But as of right now, the Seattle Seahawks currently lead the league in players testing positive for performance enhancing drugs, well, Adderall usage, not a big deal right? Wrong, the league has policies and programs in which they expect players who come into this league, to follow these exact policies and programs. So how many players does it take to test positive for specific drugs, in order for it to be a problem?

Bruce Irvin, a defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks was recently slapped with a four game suspension for violating the leagues policy on performance enhancing substances. Although he can still take part in offseason workouts, training camp and pre-season, he won’t be eligible to play a down in regular season play, until after the Seattle Seahawks game on September 29th, against the Houston Texans.

"“I want to apologize to my teammates, coaches and Seahawks fans for making a mistake when I took a substance that is prohibited in the NFL without a medical exemption. I am extremely disappointed in the poor judgment I showed and take full responsibility for my actions. I will not appeal the discipline and instead will focus my energy on preparing for the season so I can begin earning your trust and respect again. I look forward to contributing to the team the moment I return.” – Irvin in a statement released by the team"

Last season, Seattle Seahawks corner-back Richard Sherman safety Brandon Browner were both handed suspensions. Sherman who appealed the leagues decision, who sounded as if he lost his appeal, he would sue the NFL, won his appeal. Brandon Browner on the other hand, didn’t appeal the leagues decision and served his four game suspension as he rejoined the team for the start of the playoffs.

The drug of course, is Adderall (contains amphetamine), which happens to work like speed, seems to be used frequently in the league, according to Richard Sherman, (NOT QUOTING HIM ON THIS) especially with this Seattle Seahawks roster. Players who tested positive for for Adderall include safety Winston Guy, offensive linemen  John Moffitt and Allen Barbre and practice squad running back at the time, Vai Taua.

"“About half the league takes it and the league has to allow it. The league made a mistake in my case. Obviously, I didn’t do anything, but you have to go through a process to prove you didn’t do anything. There are still naysayers out there who don’t believe me. But I accept it. If everybody loves you, it probably means you’re not much of a player.” – Sherman on Adderall use in the league"

Sherman told a reporter that the league should remove it from the list of banned substances. If it appears on a list of banned substances, then why take it? Every player knows what to and not take when you are an athlete in this league, or any league at that. Others who have tested positive for this drug are New York Giants running back Andre Brown, corner-backs Aqib Talib, Eric Wright, defensive ends Jermaine Cunningham, Mike Neal, safeties Will Hill and Tyler Sash and Joe Haden.

Pete Carroll, head coach of the Seattle Seahawks spoke out on this issue once, but seemed as if it wasn’t his problem, when in fact, it sort of is. When you become a head coach in any sport, not only are you expected to teach and coach these players, but you are expected to lead them.

"“I’m not gonna comment about it. This is a league issue” – Carroll on Adderall uses on his team"

Being a strong positive leader, is something to be expected of you as soon as you are handed that title, it’s something you have to have if you expect to becoming THE voice from the sideline for any team, in any sport. I’m pretty positive, this drug will continue to run through this league and this list of players who tested positive for this drug on this team, won’t stay at 7. If the head coach of your football team won’t speak up about it too his players and just fully expects the league to take care of it, then who in this organization, besides the players who admitted they were wrong, will speak up?

Owners and head coaches across the league really need to crack down on this. I know I may get some heat for this article, possibly from Seattle Seahawks fans, but in the end, players on this team tested positive for this substance. And just because Richard Sherman says half of the league takes it, doesn’t make it right for 7 out of 53 players on a roster to use it. Act like a grown man and grow up, you aren’t in high school or college anymore where peers pressure you into trying something new to help boost your play.

You can’t help but dub this team the ‘Seadderall Seahawks’. Who’s ready for football?