Kevin Williams: My deal banned diuretics
March 10, 2010
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—Vikings defensive lineman Kevin Williams(notes) testifiedWednesday that his contract barred last-minute tactics to lose weight, includingthe use of diuretics like the one that got him in trouble with the league.
Minnesota Vikings defensive ta… AP – Mar 8, 3:45 pm EST Minnesota Vikings defensive ta… AP – Mar 8, 3:45 pm EST
Minnesota Vikings defensive ta… AP – Mar 8, 3:44 pm EST
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Williams, testifying for a second day in his closely watched labor disputewith the NFL, acknowledged under cross-examination that his contract included aclause barring last-ditch efforts to meet a weight target, including diuretics,a steam room or fasting.
“Your focus was making sure you made the weigh-in, correct?” NFL attorneyJoe Schmitt asked. Williams said yes and later said the Vikings had withheld$60,000 of his bonus as a result of the case.
Williams and fellow defensive lineman Pat Williams(notes) have both said they tookan over-the-counter supplement called StarCaps in hopes of reaching a weighttarget the next day during training camp in 2008. Meeting the target would haveresulted in a $400,000 bonus.
Both Williamses, who are not related, tested positive for the banneddiuretic bumetanide, which can mask steroids, though neither player is accusedof taking steroids. StarCaps contained bumetanide but did not list it as aningredient on the label.
The Williamses sued the NFL for unspecified damages and attorneys’ fees. Theplayers contend the NFL knew StarCaps contained bumetanide and had an obligationto tell them under state law. Among the issues to be settled at trial is whetherthe NFL has to follow Minnesota labor law when it comes to drug testing.
Kevin Williams testified that he probably is missing out on marketingopportunities such as football camps because of publicity over the positivedoping test. But under Schmitt’s questioning, Williams had trouble putting adollar figure with his complaint; he could not say if he was making more or lessthan $50,000 for those events in the offseason before he tested positive.
Asked by Schmitt if he had suffered any emotional distress, Kevin Williamssaid: “Not anything I need to take medication for.”
Williams also testified that he told his wife, his agent, head coach BradChildress and perhaps an attorney that he had tested positive. Williams repeatedthat he did not tell the media.
“I haven’t told anyone other than on a need-to-know basis,” Williams said.
Just who leaked the test results for the Williamses is an issue at trial.The players say the league leaked the results in violation of Minnesota law, aclaim the NFL denies.