We tend to look at anabolic steroids as something bad because it tarnishes the integrity of a sport.

Barry Bonds is in the middle of a maelstrom as he chases Hank Aaron's career home run record because of his "alleged" steroid use.

Jason Giambi is caught up in his own trouble because he all but admitted he took the stuff. Now, he has to spill his performance enhancing guts to George Mitchell next month.

Steroids have ruined the reputations of Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro and to a certain extent Sammy Sosa.

Everything they have accomplished has to be doubted. Every home run that barely screamed over the outfield fence from 1998 until 2006 has to be viewed with a skeptical eye.

Most of these players have deftly tippy-toed around the issue of whether they took the gym candy, the Arnolds, the juice, the stackers, the pumpers or whatever slang term you want to give them.

Someday, they may be called the Barrys.

But it's getting harder and harder to deny it.

It's hard to sidestep the allegation when you go from looking like Ben Hogan to Hulk Hogan virtually overnight.

It's not just baseball.

Steroids were as much a part of the culture in the NFLin the 1970s as disco and bellbottoms.

Teams were putting 'roids on the training tables next to the steak and bacon.

While the toll steroids have inflicted from a public relations standpoint is bad enough, nothing compares to what the stuff has done on a personal level to many, many athletes.

Monday was a reminder of that when the news came out that WWE wrestler Chris Benoit murdered his wife and son, then hung himself.

Steroids were found in his home.

Authorities are investigating whether steroids were a factor in the deaths.

If they weren't, then I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn. Oh, and pro wrestling isn't fake.

Wrestling and steroids go together like Vince McMahon and obnoxious.

Eddie Guerrero and "the British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith died of heart failure linked to steroid use.

Steelers' great Mike Webster also died from heart failure. He admitted to taking steroids when he played.

The names go on — Ken Caminiti, Lyle Alzado — to name a few.

Steroids cost both dearly.

Caminiti admitted he took them in 1996 during his MVP season and he died of a drug overdose, but the autopsy showed he had coronary heart disease and an enlarged heart linked to his steroid use.

Alzado claimed his brain cancer was caused by steroids, although no link was found.

All claimed they had 'roid rage.

If it comes out Benoit's murder-suicide was prompted by steroids, it will be another event to throw the drug into the spotlight.

Mike Kilroy is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.