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NFL players suspended for doping
#3 - Brian Cushing
Linebacker Brian Cushing was a hard-hitting player during his career. He spent nine seasons with the Houston Texans from 2009 to 2017.
Cushing was suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy, just months after he was named the 2009 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The award was revoted, but Cushing held on to the accolade.
He would have a solid career in the pros. He became the Houston Texans' franchise leader in tackles but was suspended again in September 2017 for 10 games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. He played five games for the Texans that year before retiring in February 2018.
#4 - Bill Romanowski
Linebacker Bill Romanowski spent 16 years in the NFL from 1988 to 2003, playing for the San Francisco 49ers, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Denver Broncos, and the Oakland Raiders. The 2003 BALCO scandal rocked the NFL, as numerous players were found using steroids, including many Raiders players, with Romanowski being one of them.
He said afterward:
“I took human growth hormone for a brief period and ... I definitely didn't receive what I got out of THG."
While in Oakland, he got into an altercation with tight end Marcus Williams in practice. Romanowski's punch crushed Williams’ eye socket, causing his retirement. Williams sued Romanowski for $3.4m in damages, claiming he had ‘Roid rage.’ Williams eventually won $340,000 for lost wages and medical bills.
#5 - DeAndre Hopkins
DeAndre Hopkins became one of the latest players to be suspended by the NFL for violating their performance-enhancing drugs policy in May 2022. The ban relates to tests collected in November, with Hopkins’ agent saying tests from the previous month and the following month came back negative.
Hopkins said after the suspension:
"I was confused and shocked. I am very mindful of what I put in my body and have always taken a holistic approach, so I am working with my team to investigate how this could've happened.
He has been one of the best receivers in the league for the last 10 years, having put up 10,581 yards and 68 receiving touchdowns for both the Houston Texans and the Arizona Cardinals.
Upon return after his six-game ban, he will be hoping to help the Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray improve from their 2021 season, where they were eliminated in the NFC Wildcard Round by the Los Angeles Rams.
