The NFL’s drug-testing administrator sent a memo to the league’s players Tuesday warning them against eating too much meat produced in China and Mexico, according to ESPN. It turns out meat from those countries contains a muscle-building and weight-loss stimulant called elenbuterol, which could cause a positive performing-enhancing substance test.
"Players are warned to be aware of this issue when traveling to Mexico and China," the memo said. "Please take caution if you decide to consume meat, and understand that you do so at your own risk."
With a large headline reading "Warning: Contaminated Meat," the NFL reiterated its common refrain: "players are responsible for what is in their bodies."
Arizona Cardinals corner Patrick Peterson, who tweeted a photo of the memo, was clearly dismayed, as were other NFL players, both current and former.
Thanks for the heads up. If you have a few steak dinners on vacation your screwed 😐😷 https://t.co/SLde2ho8gj pic.twitter.com/e0g53BfsIE
Side note: Steve Smith Sr. might have the most interesting Twitter avatar of any NFL player.
Let me get this straight . We have to go #vegan if we travel out of the country because... https://t.co/LUtirVMcsR pic.twitter.com/UnlZcTBINW
1. Memo to NFL I am retired...no need to drug test me. 2. Seriously, don't eat meat from Mexico? This is comical pic.twitter.com/hdQpg3I5nC
Mexico gonna be a popular vacation destination excuse!! https://t.co/kWJAnP7V57
So basically NFL players should be Vegan now??? Or a way to keep players from traveling to Mexico and China?????? pic.twitter.com/40lPO7H45S
The Raiders and Texans play a Monday Night Football game Nov. 21 in Mexico City. JJ Watt will have to fuel his 9,000-calorie diet with something other than meat.
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