The favorite defense for cyclists caught doping – must have been that Mexican steak – is now being used to warn players in the U.S. National Football League.
FILE – In this Jan. 18, 2010 file photo, steaks and other beef products are displayed for sale at a grocery store in McLean, Va. Americans may not have to cut back on eggs and salt as much as they once thought. And eating lean meat is still OK. But watch the added sugars _ especially the sugary drinks. The Obama administration’s new dietary guidelines, released Jan. 7, 2016, back off the strictest sodium rules included in the last version, while still complaining that Americans consume too much salt. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
The gridiron warriors are being warned about consuming meat produced in China and Mexico that potentially contains clenbuterol, which is banned under the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy.
The drug-testing program’s independent administrator sent a memo to players, saying “consuming large quantities of meat while visiting those particular countries may result in a positive test.”
Clenbuterol is a muscle-building and weight-loss stimulant.
The drug-testing program again advised: “Players are responsible for what is in their bodies.”
The Oakland Raiders will face the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football on Nov. 21 in Mexico City as part of the league’s international series. The Raiders also hosted a fan fest as part of the NFL draft this past Saturday in Mexico City.
Texans left tackle Duane Brown actually tested positive for clenbuterol last season after a bye-week trip to Mexico during which he ate Mexican beef, sources told ESPN.
With the Caps in first place, the mood was festive on the streets outside the Verizon Center as Amy, Sorenne, 17-year-old daughter Braunwynn — down from Canada for a visit – and I slogged through the slush to the game. Our hair was so wet by the time we arrived that Braunwynn shaped Sorenne’s hair into a fauxhawk that lasted the entire game. There were many comments. 
That slush is now 20 inches of snow outside our hotel. We’re going to be stuck in D.C. for a few extra days. I’m hoping our hotel has better food safety standards than the headquarters hotel for National Football League employees in Fort Lauderdale for tomorrow’s Super Bowl XLIV. 
Hotel general manager Amaury Piedra said the hotel was cooperating with the investigation. He does not believe the hotel’s food was the cause of the illnesses, saying the symptoms match a virus.