Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 29, 1990                   TAG: 9004290129
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

FOOTBALL TEXAS CITY AWARDED SPRING FRANCHISE

The Texas city is the fourth to be awarded a franchise in the new 12-team spring league, president Tex Schramm said.

The WLAF will begin play next March in 12 cities. The league has announced franchises in Montreal; Orlando, Fla.; and Birmingham, Ala.

The new league expects to reveal the remaining eight franchises by the end of May.

The league, which is owned by National Football League, also will have six international franchises. Other cities expected to be picked are Mexico City, Milan, Frankfurt, London and Barcelona.

Pittsburgh Steelers third-round draft choice Craig Veasey tested positive for steroids during an NFL-wide scouting camp in Indianapolis in February, a newspaper reported.

The Pittsburgh Press, quoting three unidentified personnel directors or scouts with different teams, said the University of Houston defensive lineman is subject under NFL policy to more tests for steroids during the next two years.

Detroit Lions draftee Marc Spindler of the University of Pittsburgh and New Orleans Saints draftee Joel Smeenge of Western Michigan University also tested positive for steroid use, the Press said. Spindler and Smeenge also are defensive linemen.

The Steelers investigated the NFL's findings and Veasey told the team he used the muscle-building drug to heal an injured wrist and run faster, coach Chuck Noll said.

At a Steelers orientation, Veasey declined to answer questions about steroids, which the league has banned because of unhealthy side effects and unfair strength advantages it gives users.

If Veasey tests positive for steroids again, he would be suspended for a minimum of 30 days under NFL policy. He would be suspended for the rest of the regular season and playoffs if he tests positive a second time.

Veasey was one of six players who tested positive for steroids at the Indianapolis camp, according to a letter to each team from former league physician Forest Tennant.