Appeals Court Won’t block NFL Suspensions

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The Minnesota Appeals Court says it won’t
permanently block the NFL from suspending Minnesota Vikings
defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams.

The players have long fought their four-game suspensions for
violating the NFL’s anti-doping policy. They tested positive for
the banned diuretic bumetanide in 2008.

Last May, a Minnesota judge ruled the NFL broke state law when
it failed to notify the Williamses of their test results within
three days. But the judge also ruled the NFL could suspend the
players.

The players appealed and asked for permanent relief from their
suspensions. The appeals court said Tuesday that the players
shouldn’t get relief because bumetanide isn’t defined as a drug
under the state law, so it’s not required that players be told of
its presence in drug tests.