NFL Players Union Seeks to Block Suspensions

Birch testified during the arbitration hearings that he did not notify any teams, players or the union in writing that StarCaps contained bumetanide, the memo shows.

This Nov. 30, 2008 file photo shows New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister (26) eluding...

This Nov. 30, 2008 file photo shows New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister (26) eluding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense during an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla. The NFL players union is suing to block the suspensions of five players for violating the league's anti-doping policy. The suit is on behalf of Minnesota Vikings Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, and New Orleans Saints Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister and Will Smith. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

(AP)

Kevin and Pat Williams had already obtained a temporary restraining order blocking their suspensions from Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson on Wednesday. On Thursday, the NFL had that case moved into federal court, where it was assigned to Magnuson.

The league's attorneys said in their filings they will ask Magnuson at Friday's hearing to quash Larson's temporary restraining order. They said the arbitrator's decision upholding the suspensions is final and can't be appealed under an agreement with the players union.

"The program and the collective bargaining agreement expressly bar precisely this kind of lawsuit," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail to the AP. "All of the steroid program's rules and procedures are established in agreement with the players' union. In other words, the players have agreed to the rules and the procedures that they are now challenging. There is no merit to this lawsuit and we look forward to responding to the court."

Thursday's lawsuit does not include Houston Texans long snapper Bryan Pittman. David Cornwell, Pittman's lawyer, told the AP that his client isn't included because his circumstances "differ substantially from the men who used StarCaps." Cornwell said he didn't think a challenge by Pittman would succeed.

A seventh player under scrutiny, Atlanta's Grady Jackson, has not been suspended. Pash has asked for additional information.

Jackson sued StarCaps in California last month, seeking restitution for any lost salary and damages for "false advertising and unfair business practices."

McAllister said Tuesday that he told other players about StarCaps because he believed it was a permitted supplement.

"I wouldn't have put those guys in jeopardy if I had known something was in that product," he said.

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