Lions 'in compliance' during surprise DEA inspection
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Lions were among the NFL teams that were subjected to a surprise inspection by the Drug Enforcement Administration on Sunday, as part of the agency's crackdown on prescription drugs, the team acknowledged Monday.
Lions coach Jim Caldwell said during his weekly interview with WXYZ-TV that nothing illegal was found during the inspection.
"Yes, from what I understand, they did interview one of our doctors, and I know we were in compliance," Caldwell told the station.
The DEA interviewed NFL team doctors at airports across the country Sunday in an effort to ensure that prescription drugs were not being dispensed to players illegally.
The searches focused on visiting teams whose doctors might not be licensed to administer drugs outside of their home state.
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A Lions spokesperson said he did not know where the DEA inspection took place. The Lions lost to the Arizona Cardinals 14-6 on Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium and flew back to Detroit immediately after the game.
The Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers were among the other teams subject to surprise searches, according to various reports, and NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told ESPN on Sunday, "Our teams cooperated with the DEA today, and we have no information to indicate that irregularities were found."
More than 1,000 former NFL players, including ex-Lions receiver J.D. Hill, sued the league in federal court earlier this year, claiming that they were addicted to painkillers in part because NFL training staffs illegally dispensed drugs so that they could play through injuries.
Caldwell said during his news conference Monday that he understands the DEA initiative.
"Obviously, I got enough to worry about in terms of our football team," Caldwell said. "But I do understand, without question, that it's something the government thinks is important, so they follow through on it. That's probably about the best answer I could give you."
Dave Birkett writes for the Detroit Free Press, a Gannett affiliate.