A former Notre Dame lineman, Steve Huffman,...

A former Notre Dame lineman, Steve Huffman, claims in a magazine report that there was widespread steroid use on the football team and that Coach Lou Holtz “had to have known” about it.

In this week’s issue of Sports Illustrated, Huffman alleges that “almost half the lettermen at Notre Dame used steroids at some time.” He also claims that some players sold the muscle-building drug, which is banned by the NCAA.

Notre Dame officials denied Huffman’s charges in a written statement issued by the university.

Huffman, who had an injury-plagued career at Notre Dame before quitting the team during preseason practice in 1987, said two assistant coaches suggested that he take steroids to increase his strength. He did not name the coaches or any of the players who allegedly used steroids.