As Wednesday night came to a close the NFL and the NFL Players Association continued their work towards an agreement that would implement HGH testing in the NFL. Human Growth Hormone is not currently tested for in football, unlike other professional sports such as Major League Baseball.
Meetings between the two sides were held earlier this week and it seems that both sides are making significant strides towards an agreement on HGH testing. Since the signing of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement back in 2011, this is the closest we have come to having HGH testing in the NFL.
accurate testing for HGH
There are several issues about the testing that need to be resolved in order to strike a deal. They range from procedural to economic to due process and appeals. Procedurally both sides need to find out how often players will be tested, how will their samples be taken and how will those samples be store and disposed of.
Keep in mind an HGH testing kit cost $2,200 per kit so both sides will also have to figure out who is going to pay for the test too.
Finally, both sides have agree on the due process and appeal part of the testing. They must determine what will happen if a player test positive and what rights that player has as far as the appealite process. Will these test and their results be confidential? This all must be determined.
Though there are many wrinkles to iron out in this process many players are excited at the thought of HGH testing in professional football. Cowboys Tight End Jason Witten and teammate Sean Lee have stated that they welcome HGH testing as long as the test are accurate. “If the test is on point, it will be a good thing for the league,” Lee said. “Everybody wants it to be a clean league.”
One way or another it seems likely that HGH testing will be in the NFL soon. Many are hopeful that it will be in place for the 2013 season. After seeing the recent stories out of the baseball world there may be a little added pressure to get this deal done and begin testing players for HGH in the NFL. The sooner the test start the sooner we can begin ridding the game of those who use performance enhancing drugs.
More stories you might like
