In a memo released through the Independent Administrator of the NFL's drug-testing program, the league recommended that players refrain from eating meat when traveling outside of the country on Tuesday (May 3). The statement comes on the heels of an Oakland Raiders draft event that was held in Mexico City, and foreshadows a Monday Night Football schedule that will include a Raiders v.s. Houston Texans game south of the border. The fear is that high levels of the banned substance, clenbuterol has been found in meat from China and Mexico. Players are being warned that if they test positive for the performance enhancer it will result in a suspension without question.

Clenbuterol is known as a weight loss supplement and muscle builder. There were a wave of athletes from different sports who were testing positive for PED's some years back [circa 2011-12], and would claim not to know how. Some of the names included boxing's Erik Morales, baseball's Guillermo Mota, and five stars from Mexico's national soccer team. At the time, FIFA put on an investigation that determined that a majority of players tested at the 2011 Under-17 World Cub, came up for some trace of clenbuterol in their systems. Since that time, athletes have on occasion continued to test positive, but by this point the league is taking the tough stance that players have been given fair notice and must operate with caution.

"consuming large quantities of meat while visiting those particular countries may result in a positive test," the memo read. "Please take caution if you decide to consume meat, and understand that you do so at your own risk." Arizona Cardinals' corner, Patrick Peterson took to Twitter to express a melodramatic disfavor of the policy, stating, "This can't be real life! #SMH #GottaGoVeganOnVacation"

The Texans' Duane Brown was just let off the hook in April after a months long appeal that began when he tested positive in November. He was facing a 10 game suspension, but was able to provide a paper trail of receipts that showed he had been eating burgers and steak during a stay in Mexico.

Check out more responses from players up top.

Source: examiner.com