NFL Players’ Association speaks on human growth hormone (HGH) testing – NFL News
The National Football League Players’ Association has finally presented its stance on the much-debated issue regarding introduction of test for human growth hormone (HGH) in players.
The association called for initiating a study through which natural level of HGH in the players would be determined. The association thinks that the NFL players have a higher natural level of the growth hormone than general population
and proposed that it would be better to conduct a study that accurately reflects the natural level of the hormone in players
The league has recommended testing procedures approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), but the association wants a panel of independent scientists, medical professionals and arbitrators to provide an expert opinion on every
step to ensure fairness.
The union’s opinion has come soon after when the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expressed disappointment over the association’s attitude and said that testing could begin this season if the association showed willingness.
This summer, the NFL and the players agreed to begin blood testing for HGH, but, as per the deal, the association is supposed to endorse the testing methods. The implementation of the test has not occurred yet because the association
needs more scientific data as evidence to prove that the test is reliable. The league claims that the association has access all the information the league has got.
According to a statement from the union, the players are committed to ensure drug-free game and the union is not backing off from its commitment to introduce the test.
"The players of the National Football League are unequivocally committed to ensuring that football is played by men who do not use performance-enhancing drugs. The health and safety of the players, maintaining the integrity of
the game, and utilization of a fair system to ensure the integrity of the game are unquestioned priorities for the players," the statement said.
However, the league seems to be unimpressed with the union’s reaction. A spokesman termed it the strategy to delay testing for as long as possible and said that the league’s proposal is deficient in numerous respects.
Earlier, the stand-off between the NFL and the association forced three Democratic congressmen to intervene in the matter. They requested the House Energy and Commerce Committee to hold hearings on this issue and resolve it as
soon as possible.
The congressmen termed the delay a cause for “concern” and referred to a letter sent by two dozen scientists from all over the world to the NFL and NFLPA in favour of the test and its reliability. It was also pointed out that the
test has been used in the Olympics.
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