The Sports Archives

Given the incredible potential for fortune and fame in professional sports, it is little surprise that athletes are willing to cheat in order to gain an edge. Talk of performance enhancing substances began in the late 1980s, and the conversation has reached a boiling point over the last decade as superstars in all major sports have been caught breaking the written rules and compromising their own morality. Chicago Bear wide receiver Brandon Marshall recently revealed that Viagra is widely used in football locker rooms in order to give players a competitive edge. It makes sense. Here’s why.

The Breakdown

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 10 years, you’re well aware that Viagra is designed to treat erectile dysfunction in males. Treatment for ED has been a growing industry over the past few decades, and Viagra was essentially a pioneer in its field. The pills are seen as magic to many men who need it in order to maintain proper sexual functions, and it works like a charm in most cases. The general idea is that Viagra increases the amount of oxygen that is able to get into the bloodstream, and this has proven to be useful in many realms outside of the bedroom.

The On-Field Benefits

Getting an increased amount of oxygen into the bloodstream can benefit a professional football player in a number of ways. Studies have shown that wide receivers and the cornerbacks who cover them often run between six and seven miles over the course of a typical game. Needless to say, such a feat requires that an athlete be in excellent physical condition, and oxygen getting into their blood is an essential component of peak performance. In cold weather and high altitude climates, football players are often seen taking additional oxygen through a mask and machine on the sidelines. If taking Viagra before the game can essentially accomplish the same feet as an oxygen tank and doing so has not yet been deemed illegal, then there is little reason not to experiment with the oxygen-enhancing pill. For players such as Brandon Marshall, having a Viagra or two in the system could be the difference between being too tired and fatigued to reach out and catch the long bomb for a game-winning touchdown and being up to the task.

But What about the Effects?

While is quite obvious that Viagra is designed to help flaccid penises become erect, they will not do so unless they are actually sexually stimulated in some way. Without getting into a discussion about the possible ratio of homosexuals in professional sports, it is safe to say that none of the players are in a state of sexual arousal on any given Sunday. If you eliminate the word Viagra and substitute it with the phrase “oxygen-enhancing pill,” then taking one or two before a football game would not come with a stigma of any kind. Image Credit: Mike Morbeck

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Derek often likes to blog about football and sports. When he is not blogging, he enjoys spending time with his family and coaching his son’s pee-wee football team. The article above is for treatment for ED.