Human growth hormone testing is coming for all NFL players if the league has its way in labor negotiations. NFL vice president and general counsel Adolpho Birch told FOXSports.com on Thursday that the league is insistent upon HGH testing when a new collective bargaining agreement is reached with the NFL Players Association. "We want it. We think it's necessary. We're going to ensure that it's done," said Birch, who oversees the NFL's drug-testing program. "That's something very important to us and the integrity of our game. We believe some of the basis for going slowly on it before has been addressed. At this point, it's proper for it to be an active part of our program." Birch said the NFL had discussed the matter with NFLPA representatives before labor talks ended March 11 and a work stoppage began. An NFLPA source told FOXSports.com that an agreement for HGH testing "would have to be part of settlement discussions with the class," referring to the attorneys representing 10 NFL players in an antitrust lawsuit against the league. The NFLPA decertified as a union before the previous CBA expired in anticipation of an NFL lockout. Source: FOX Sports
Kind of surprised by this. If they successfully outlaw HGH, the leagues going to look vastly different. Literally.
Strongly agree. The current system fails because the players can use as much growth hormone as they want with little chance of getting caught (Even if they adapted the modern testing technology, Growth Hormone is difficult to measure), making over substances irrelevant.
This has to scare tons of players that are on this crap!! Cause nowadays players and stronger, faster and bigger. This is huge leverage for the NFL against the Players Union
Going to be tough for owners to leverage for the drastic change in money they hope for, as well as new testing standards. Chances are they'll have to choose one and I have a feeling I know which they'd prefer. That said, doesn't hgh testing require a blood sample, as opposed to present testing which can use urine? You're asking for mistakes to be made if they start sticking needles in people at the rate they're going to. Even with professionals, mistakes can happen.
Growth Hormone is undetectable through urine samples. Every other sport outside of America tests for the stuff (I'll save that rant for later), it's about time they caught up.
