The NFLPA sent a memo to players this week warning them to be cautious about eating meat in Mexico and China because some of it is contaminated by Clenbuterol, which is a banned substance under the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
It appears that a trip to Mexico by Texans tackle Duane Brown last year uncovered the issue. Dan Graziano and Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com report that Brown, who was suspended four games for a PED violation in 2010, tested positive last November after returning from a bye-week vacation with his wife. He faced a 10-game suspension as a repeat offender.
Brown appealed with the help of the NFLPA and receipts from meals showing he ate 10 burgers and two steaks while in Mexico. He was cleared in April of this year and his experience is one that the union would like other players to avoid.
The Texans and Raiders will be playing a game in Mexico City during the 2016 season. One would imagine that Brown will be laying off the beef during that visit.