NFL Investigates Chargers for Cheating

A sports team has been accused of using a banned substance—and for once, it's not performance enhancing drugs. No, the NFL is investigating reports that the San Diego Chargers used "Stickum," which, as its name implies, is a sticky substance designed to help players grab and hold onto the football, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported this weekend. The league confirmed the investigation to the AP today.

A line judge reportedly caught a team equipment manager carrying the sticky substance onto the field on hand towels during last Monday's game against the Broncos. He made the equipment manager empty his pockets, and there found skin-colored or clear tape. The team could be fined, or lose draft picks. Stickum was popular in the NFL in the 1970s, notes ESPN, before it was banned in 1981. (More NFL stories.)