Testing expected to be ready for opener
Tennessee Titans players cast shadows in the setting sun during training camp. (Aug. 2, 2011) Credit: AP
The head of the NFL's steroids testing program said Monday that he expects a newly enhanced policy that includes HGH testing and game-day testing for performance-enhancing drugs to be in place by the start of the regular season.
NFL senior vice president of labor policy Adolpho Birch said there still are issues to be worked out with the NFL Players Association, but he expressed optimism that the league's strengthened steroids policy will begin soon.
"The parties have committed to getting the program up and running by the start of the season, and I have every expectation that we'll do that," he said. "We've agreed to the great bulk of the protocols and procedures. We have to make sure everyone understands how it will work. The large majority of it is pretty much agreed to and ready to begin."
Birch said the addition of game-day testing for PEDs will improve the policy and ultimately make the game safer. He also said the league's steroids program will serve as a model for youth sports and thus deter younger players from using such substances.
Adding HGH to the list of banned substances is a major component, Birch said.
"It will be a comprehensive testing system with random testing year-round," he said of HGH tests. "It will be testing during the season with the same sort of rubric that we do our steroids urine testing, where every player is eligible to be tested every week, several times in the offseason, plus [scouting] combine and reasonable-cause guys. It will be comprehensive and will do what we think is crucial, which is to create proper deterrence through constant eligibility for testing. That's what you're looking for."
Game-day testing will serve as a further deterrent, according to Birch. Testing for all performance-enhancing drugs will be done randomly on game days and can occur before or after games. Steroids experts believe that testing immediately before or after games or competitions is an effective way to make sure athletes aren't using PEDs.
"On game days, it will include potentially anything we test for, whether it be HGH or other substances," Birch said.
Birch would not specify the remaining issues to be negotiated with the NFLPA regarding the steroids policy. An NFLPA spokesman did not return messages seeking comment about the steroids program.
Birch said the inclusion of HGH in the testing program will serve several purposes.
"Obviously, the competitive integrity of our game," he said. "In addition, we want to protect the health and safety of our players. We know that using HGH in performance-enhancing situations poses health risks. The final piece is that we want to send the proper message to young athletes about what our league stands for. We want to stand for competitive integrity and competing cleanly."
