Richard Rydze, former Steelers doctor, indicted for steroid distribution

Dr. Richard Rydze, a former Pittsburgh Steelers team doctor, was charged with 185 counts of conspiracy to illegally distribute steroids, human growth hormone and painkillers on Friday, via Associated Press. Federal investigators have not listed team(s) or player(s) that received substances from Dr. Richard Rydze.

Rydze was a member of the Steelers medical staff for more than 20 years, dating back to 1985, until leaving the team soon after federal investigators began an investigation on his bulk purchase of anabolic steroids.

The 62-year-old physician is also being charged with health care fraud, as the former Steelers doctor illegally prescribed human growth hormone and other drugs to more than 90 patients, according to the report.

As detailed in Mike Fish's piece for ESPN.com, the investigation began in February of 2007 when two law enforcement officials questioned Rydze about charging his credit card with $150,000 worth of HGH and testosterone from a pharmacy based in Orlando, Florida. The retail value of the drugs approached $1 million.