Should performance enhancing drugs be allowed in pro sports?

[8timechamps]

Probably because I’ve been listening to all the talk of “Big Mac” not getting into the baseball hall of fame, or maybe it’s because of Barry Bonds approaching Hammerin’ Hank’s record, but I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately.

First, you have to be honest with yourself about what professional sports represent. I mean at the core of the NFL, NBA, etc. what are they intended to be. Entertainment. Professional sports, in our society, serve no purpose other than entertaining the masses. Sure, each league feels a responsibility to give back to a degree, and there have been wonderful charities and other philanthropic organizations as a result, but the bottom line is entertainment.

So, I play $70, $80, $100 for a ticket, I say: Entertain me!

Just as I go to an action movie to see action, I go to a professional sporting event to see action. If I sat in an action movie and all I got was a fast-paced car chase, a couple of fire crackers and a guy getting shot with a really hard rubber pellet, I’d be disappointed. I want to see the best action possible, the things I can’t do, the things I don’t see day to day. I want to see a 350 lb lineman knock the helmet off of a 250 lb running back. I want to see an all star first baseman jack 5 home runs in a game, only to lose by the opposing first baseman smacking 6. I want to get what I pay for.

A big part of the rejection for allowing enhancing drugs is said to be the possible effect they may have on the athlete and his/her health. To that I say, bleh! What about the 400 lb linemen in the NFL, does anyone care about their health after their career is over? Or the MLB catcher that won’t be able to walk within 3 years of his retirement?

Truth be told, I think the biggest fear is for the safety of the players that choose not to take drugs. Which, may be the only legitimate argument. One I may even concede.

Otherwise, I say they should be allowed. Not illegal drugs mind you, but legal, performance enhancing drugs. Why not? It’s supposed to be entertainment, isn’t it?

[sanantoniosooner]

No.

[OU Adonis]

Yes.

The only reason some are banned is because they are more effective than others.

[yermom]

i think the need for the players who don't use use them to keep up is probably what would bother me about it most

[Ike]

father: well, son, what do you want to be when you grow up?
6 year old son: Centerfielder for the yankees.
father: well, that will take a lot of hard work and steroids. Are you sure you're up for it?
son: yup.
father: excellent. now let me see that arm so I can give you your injection.



This is why performance enhancing drugs should not be allowed.

[MamaMia]

It all depends on what type of performance they're trying to enhance. :O

[Ike]

It all depends on what type of performance they're trying to enhance. :O


thats an entirely different form of entertainment....generally not meant for the masses.

[DustySooner]

In my opinion it's all about people wanting to view an athlete as more "human". Besides, these guys have some of the best trainers and fitness specialists in the world as far as the big leagues go. Do they really need it?


It all depends on what type of performance they're trying to enhance. :O

Now that's funny, I don't care who you are. :D

[8timechamps]

Ike,
You aren't suggesting that we as parents should encourage our children to model their lives after pro athletes, are you?

And, like I said, I'm not talking about illegal drugs (steroids), I am talking about the supplements you can buy at GNC.

[sanantoniosooner]

Ike,
You aren't suggesting that we as parents should encourage our children to model their lives after pro athletes, are you?

And, like I said, I'm not talking about illegal drugs (steroids), I am talking about the supplements you can buy at GNC.
legal stuff bought at GNC is responsible for deaths.

[OUstud]

I like comedian Daniel Tosh's view on the subject (on his album True Stories I Made Up).

[sanantoniosooner]

I like comedian Daniel Tosh's view on the subject (on his album True Stories I Made Up).
nail on the head.

probably.

I wouldn't know because I have no idea what his take is.

[8timechamps]

legal stuff bought at GNC is responsible for deaths.

So is 250lb of extra weight on a 6'3" frame.

[BoogercountySooner]

If it hurts you or shortens your life then No!!!

[1stTimeCaller]

So is 250lb of extra weight on a 6'3" frame.

could you get me her phone number?

[soonerboomer93]

It all depends on what type of performance they're trying to enhance. :O

I think this board is slowly corrupting mom over time

:D

[jk the sooner fan]

father: well, son, what do you want to be when you grow up?
6 year old son: Centerfielder for the yankees.
father: well, that will take a lot of hard work and steroids. Are you sure you're up for it?
son: yup.
father: excellent. now let me see that arm so I can give you your injection.



This is why performance enhancing drugs should not be allowed.

bingo

[soonerboomer93]

could you get me her phone number?


I feel like being nice today, but someone's gonna knock this one out of the park...

[GottaHavePride]

To stay with the baseball example - I don't think baseball is just about who can smack more homeruns to win the game, it's about how well you play the game. By which I mean how well can the pitcher control the path of his pitches? How well can he make the pitch look like it's going one way only to have it break at the last second? Does he know his own pitching tendencies well enough to use them to fake out a batter? For the batter it's not just how hard you can hit the ball - it's when you hit the ball, can you place it well enough to keep it away from the fielders? Can you read the pitcher well enough to know when the fastball is a bluff and when it's real?

Strategy. Finesse. It applies in every sport - winning is about mentally dominating your opponent. Drugs are just a way for any idiot to boost his physique to the point that subtelty becomes unnecessary, and that's no fun to watch.

[8timechamps]

To stay with the baseball example - I don't think baseball is just about who can smack more homeruns to win the game, it's about how well you play the game. By which I mean how well can the pitcher control the path of his pitches? How well can he make the pitch look like it's going one way only to have it break at the last second? Does he know his own pitching tendencies well enough to use them to fake out a batter? For the batter it's not just how hard you can hit the ball - it's when you hit the ball, can you place it well enough to keep it away from the fielders? Can you read the pitcher well enough to know when the fastball is a bluff and when it's real?

Strategy. Finesse. It applies in every sport - winning is about mentally dominating your opponent. Drugs are just a way for any idiot to boost his physique to the point that subtelty becomes unnecessary, and that's no fun to watch.

While you may be right, you've been watching performace drug enhanced baseball for quite a while.

[sanantoniosooner]

While you may be right, you've been watching performace drug enhanced baseball for quite a while.
and it sucks.

[GottaHavePride]

While you may be right, you've been watching performace drug enhanced baseball for quite a while.

Not since the strike in 1994 I haven't. ;)

[royalfan5]

While you may be right, you've been watching performace drug enhanced baseball for quite a while.
cheating is a time honored part of baseball though. This is just a new form.

[Okla-homey]

I'll go you one better. For what many of these pro ath-u-leets are being paid, they should be required under their contracts to take every performance enhancing drug known to be effective. Safe or not! I watch pro sports to see incredible performances. If these guys can begin to perform like characters in video games through advances in bio-chemistry, that's cool!

What the craphell! There's nothing more pathetic than a professional athlete who can no longer play. They don't want to live anyway. I say, juice 'em and if their heart blows up at 40, well, at least they had a nice run and made us all watch in wonder. The key here is, they get their 72 virgins BEFORE they get to heaven. (Read Wilt Chamberlain's bio sometime)

After all, I eat meat (beef, pork, chicken) that has been juiced with growth enhancement juice, steroids and what not. Why should'nt I get to feast my eyes on incredible feats of athletic skill made possible through PED's, steroids, or whatever.

[Ike]

Ike,
You aren't suggesting that we as parents should encourage our children to model their lives after pro athletes, are you?

And, like I said, I'm not talking about illegal drugs (steroids), I am talking about the supplements you can buy at GNC.


No, I'm not. But have you been to a little league game recently. Or a high school baseball or football game? Have you seen some of the parents at these things? Believe me, if performance enhancing drugs are what it takes to even make it into these sports, there are parents out there that are going to want to get a jump on the competition and start juicing their kids from a pretty young age. Not only that, but there is some subset of these kinds of parents that will not give a crap if the drugs are legal or illegal....they'll only care about what works the best.

[soonerboomer93]

While you may be right, you've been watching performace drug enhanced baseball for quite a while.

Personally, I don't watch baseball, have never watched (except for a couple live games) have never followed it and couldn't give a **** about it. It's not just about the cheating and the scandals and all the other bull**** that is involved with baseball (oh, we can let Cal Ripkin Jr. be voted in unanimously, I won't vote for anyone on their first HOF ballot). It's become a joke, American baseball is a sham and someone needs to correct it.

[sooner_born_1960]

I think this board is slowly corrupting mom over time

:D
That's what she'd like you to think. Actually, it is she who has been corrupting us, slowly. Over time.

[soonerboomer93]

Probably, I was momentarily blinded and forgot the whole "women are the root of all evil" rule