Players Distance From Steroids Issue
The Cowboys players seemed to have more important issues on their minds than dealing with a man who pleaded guilty on Tuesday in federal court to possession of illegal steroids and evidently is claiming to have had an association with current and former players in the Cowboys organization.
"No, not at all," Cowboys tight end Jason Witten said when asked if this case has created a distraction with the team preparing for Sunday's 3:15 p.m. (CST) game with the Washington Redskins. "I don't really think it's an issue. I don't know the guy, and I don't think anyone else knows the guy. It's not an issue."
David Jacobs, 35, a personal trainer, professional body builder and owner of a nutritional supplement store in Plano, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, did not publicly reveal any names, but he claims on his store's website to have offered "guidance to many top athletes across the United States. These athletes range from Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons football players to those we have seen in the top 10 at the Mr. Olympia Bodybuilding Competitions."
The Cowboys organization has denied any affiliation with Jacobs, saying, "We don't know this individual."
The CBS affiliate in Dallas-Fort Worth, KTVT, did link Jacobs to former Cowboys offensive lineman Matt Lehr, a fifth-round pick in 2001 who signed a free-agent deal with Atlanta in 2005. CBS-11 posted a picture identifying Lehr with Jacobs on its website on Wednesday. Lehr, now the backup center with Tampa Bay, was suspended four games last November by the NFL for violation of the league's steroid policy while still with Atlanta.
The NFL said it would continue to monitor the situation. Players are tested randomly during the season, and can be tested randomly during the off-season at the league's discretion.
