NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday night that he’s optimistic that testing for HGH can begin this season but that he’s “disappointed†with the slow movement by the players’ union. "We’re completely focused on that. We think it’s the right thing to do,†Goodell said. “We agreed to it. We think it’s the right thing to do for player safety, we think it’s important for the credibility of the game, we think it’s important as a message to kids who not only play our game, but play any game. You shouldn’t be taking performance-enhancing drugs and HGH is certainly something we need to be testing for.†The league and NFLPA tentatively agreed in the contract that ended the lockout to implement testing for human growth hormone. But the union had to approve testing procedures and has not done so, saying it wants more information. “I’m disappointed. Never discouraged,†Goodell said. “It’s something we agreed to. We had talked about it for well over a year. It wasn’t something that came up at the last minute. It’s important for us as the NFL to continue to be the leader for sports, and that includes performance-enhancing drug testing. We’re proud of our program, but clearly this aspect of the program, meaning HGH testing, needs to be implemented, to make sure you have the best program in sports.†Goodell said he doesn’t think the NFL will need Congress to intervene. “Again, we agreed to it, so I’m hopeful we can all live up to our agreements and get it done,†he said. Source: Associated Press
