Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: Dallas observer.com "Star Athletes such as Marion Jones, are beginning to get caught in a steroid scandal."

The pressure of being strong as a Hollywood star is always being tested. We see stars fall all the time and now it's not just Hollywood, but athletes as well.

Many of you might remember hearing about the incident of steroid use in both the sports world and music industry recently. On Oct. 5, 2007, outside the federal courthouse of White Plains, NY, Marion Jones, the three time Olympic gold medalist, cried during a news conference as she admitted to the use of steroids.

Jones had previously lied to federal investigators about the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

"The strong, poised woman who was once a symbol for everything right about women in sports was long gone. She was now a liar and a cheat, her sins laid bare for everyone to see," wrote Pat Milton of the Associated Press.

After many years of denial, the 31 year old couldn't hold the secret in any longer. The fact that she finally admitted it may have resulted in her retirement.

Jones winnings mean nothing now. "I have let (my family) down. I have let my country down, and I have let myself down." Jones stated.

Jones is the biggest name to be brought down so far, but at the same time, others are being questioned.

When Jones admitted to the use, people questioned "home run king" Barry Bonds for also taking enhancing drugs. Barry denied it in 2003, but the federal government is staying strong in getting down to the truth.

Another sports star who has been accused of being under the use of steroids is baseball star Roger Clemens. Fellow Pitcher Andy Pettitte was also under suspicion of usage, and when he admitted to the use of Human Growth Hormones (HGH), it gave the charges against Clemens some credibility.

Clemens denied knowing about Pettitte's use, and acted shocked.

Unlike other players, at the age of 45, instead of being retired, Clemens pitched for the Yankees. It's stated that most baseball players retire in their 30's and 40's because they lose their stride and become weaker. Clemens continued on and it raised some questions.

In Clemens' case, nothing has been proved.

From sports stars to music stars, the trend seems to be very popular at the moment. A couple months after the Marion Jones case, a list of A-Listers including R&B singer Mary J. Blige, rappers 50 Cent, Timbaland and Wyclef Jean, and actor Tyler Perry were also named and accused of using steroids in a report.

As a Grammy winning singer, Blige leads the roster of the entertainers. As the only female and a well known and acclaimed artist, no one was expecting it.

"Mary J. Blige has never taken any performance-enhancing illegal steroids," Blige's spokesman stated to the Daily News.

The drugs are known to be ordered under a secret name signed by Doctor Gary Brandwein. Many of you might remember him as the doctor who prescribed steroids to the pro wrestler who killed his wife, son, and then himself, Chris Benoit. Brandwein is awaiting trial on drug charges.

All this adds up and only makes it more believable that these A-Listers are using steroids. Times Union even obtained information of Blige receiving multiple orders of HGH and anabolic steroids.

At the same time, 50 Cent, Timbaland and Wyclef Jean were all on the named list of having steroids or HGH being sent to Long Island chiropractor Michael Diamond. Diamond is known as an anti aging consultant, and with the power of steroids, one wouldn't be surprised with his part in the claim.

Steroids is an (unproven) anti aging drug that seems to be popular amongst people whom are under pressure. The fact that people are using this as something to help them is only making things worse.

From sports stars, to Hollywood royalty, to even college students, the use of steroids is very tempting, but it's not worth the after math of being looked down upon.

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