Minnesota judge sides with NFL in drug suspensions case of Vikings Kevin and Pat Williams

Minn. judge sides with NFL in StarCaps case

MINNEAPOLIS — A Minnesota judge has sided with the NFL in a lawsuit by Minnesota Vikings Kevin Williams and Pat Williams challenging their four-game suspensions for violating the NFL’s anti-doping policy.

The NFL first attempted to suspend the defensive tackles in December 2008 after they tested positive for a banned diuretic that was in the StarCaps weight-loss supplement they were taking. The players argued that the NFL broke state labor law when it applied its drug policy.

Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson said Thursday that the players weren’t harmed by the NFL’s violation of a state law.

The decision doesn’t necessarily clear the way for the NFL to suspend the players. The judge will hold a hearing Thursday afternoon on whether to grant a temporary injunction pending an appeal.