Alex Rodriguez, AKA A-Rod

One of the best and most recognizable baseball players of current times, Alex Rodriguez, admitted to using performance enhancing drugs. The Yankee slugger told ESPN that he used them during the years of 2001-2003. Rodriguez said,

“I did take a banned substance. And for that, I am very sorry and deeply regretful.”

A-Rod’s confession came two days after being outed by Sports Illustrated magazine as one of 104 baseball players that tested positive for illegal performance enhancing drugs in 2003. However, his story is all too familiar. With easy access to PEDs, athletes have had to answer to the media, and even to the government, about this kind of controversial drug use.

Other athletes famous/infamous for alleged or admitted use of performance enhancing drugs:

Jason Giambi

In 2003 Jason Giambi (baseball player for the Oakland A’s and New York Yankees) admitted that he injected himself with human growth hormones.

Jose Canseco

Jose Canseco, a former MLB player, admitted to steroid use and even wrote a book about it called “Juiced” where he chronicled his experiences and wrote about other athletes who also allegedly used performance enhancing drugs.

Mark McGwire

Although he’s never admitted or been officially convicted of taking drugs of this kind, Mark McGwire did admit to using an over-the-counter muscle enhancement product called androstenedione. During his career, he hit an impressive 583 home runs.

Marion Jones

Even women have been known to use PEDs. World-class sprinter Marion Jones admitted to, and apologized for, drug use when she was preparing for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.