The NFL has been thrown into utter turmoil following an extraordinary directive from Commissioner Roger Goodell: comprehensive doping tests for every single player on the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks rosters, conducted in the lead-up to Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Billed as a drastic step to “guarantee absolute fairness and preserve the sanctity of the championship,” the tests’ results were swiftly made public—sparking widespread disbelief, outrage, and accusations that the league’s biggest stage has been irreparably tainted.
Goodell issued the order amid growing whispers of uneven enforcement and past controversies, stating in a league-wide memo: “With Super Bowl LX representing the pinnacle of our sport—a rematch of the iconic 2015 clash between these two storied franchises—we cannot allow even the slightest question of integrity to linger. These results are transparent, final, and binding to protect fans, players, and the game itself.”
What emerged from the public disclosure has left the football world stunned. Positive tests for banned performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) surfaced among key contributors from both teams, igniting immediate calls for suspensions, game postponements, or even outright cancellation of the Super Bowl. Hashtags such as #NFLDopingScandal, #TaintedSuperBowl, #SuspendThemAll, and #VoidTheSeason exploded across social media, with fans from coast to coast demanding accountability.
Here are the jaw-dropping revelations of players from the two Super Bowl-bound teams who tested positive, based on the officially released results:
Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold The surprising breakout star who propelled Seattle back to the Super Bowl with his efficient play and leadership tested positive for a synthetic anabolic steroid. Darnold’s transformation from journeyman to elite QB—throwing for over 4,200 yards and leading the Seahawks past the Rams in a 31-27 NFC Championship thriller—now faces intense scrutiny. Seahawks faithful are in denial, with many blaming contaminated supplements, while critics argue this could nullify Seattle’s entire postseason run. A suspension would force backup Geno Smith into action, dramatically altering the matchup.
New England Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson The bruising workhorse running back, whose power running was crucial in the Patriots’ gritty 10-7 AFC Championship win over the Denver Broncos in blizzard conditions, returned positive for a banned testosterone booster. Stevenson’s physicality and yards-after-contact ability defined New England’s ground game revival. Patriots fans are furious, drawing parallels to past controversies like Deflategate, and claiming selective testing. Without him, the offense loses its physical edge against Seattle’s aggressive front seven. Seattle Seahawks LB Devon Witherspoon The dynamic young linebacker and defensive playmaker tested positive for a masking agent designed to hide other PEDs.
Witherspoon’s coverage skills and tackling in space were vital in containing the Rams’ explosive attack. This hit compounds concerns for Seattle’s defense, already thin on depth. Fans worry that any discipline could expose vulnerabilities against New England’s opportunistic scheme. New England Patriots WR DeMario Douglas The speedy slot receiver, who emerged as a reliable target for rookie QB Drake Maye, failed for trace levels of a prohibited stimulant. Douglas’s quickness and yards-after-catch ability added explosive elements to the Patriots’ passing game. His involvement has shocked observers, as he’s seen as a clean, high-character player.
New England supporters demand appeals and independent re-testing, fearing it undermines their Cinderella-like playoff surge.
The league’s decision to go full transparency—releasing names, substances, and levels—has amplified the chaos. Both franchises released terse statements vowing full cooperation and denying intentional violations, but the damage is catastrophic. Betting markets reacted violently: Seattle, initially -4.5 favorites, saw lines swing wildly as uncertainty mounts. Sponsors are reportedly reviewing commitments, and TV executives brace for potential viewership dips if suspensions force roster shakeups.
Outrage from eliminated teams like the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos has been fierce. “They play through questionable calls and no extra tests, but now the finalists get hit? This is rigged or incompetent,” one viral Rams fan post declared. Conspiracy theories link the testing to earlier controversies, including resurfaced pre-season graphics that “predicted” this exact matchup, fueling claims of scripted outcomes.
Experts debate the implications. Supporters of Goodell’s move praise it as bold leadership in an era where PEDs threaten credibility across sports. Detractors call it a desperate overreach—why target only these two teams? Why publicize results pre-game? The NFLPA has filed grievances, demanding due process, while agents for the affected players prepare appeals that could drag into Super Bowl week.
As February 8 looms, Super Bowl LX teeters on the brink. What was billed as a thrilling rematch—Darnold vs. Maye, Seattle’s flair vs. New England’s grit, redemption for 2015—now carries an asterisk of scandal. Will the league impose immediate bans? Force roster adjustments? Postpone the game? Or proceed amid protests?
One certainty remains: this doping bombshell has shattered illusions of fairness. Fans aren’t just tuning in for football anymore—they’re watching to see if the NFL can salvage its crown jewel from self-inflicted disaster. The fallout could redefine legacies, alter championships, and erode trust for years to come.
