NEW YORK — The 32 player representatives to the union have delayed a vote on the NFL’s proposal for changes to the drug policy that potentially could implement HGH testing.
After a conference call of about one hour Tuesday night during which the proposal was discussed, the player reps opted to take no action. The proposal was not delivered to the union until midday.
“There was no vote tonight by NFLPA player representatives,” Union spokesman George Atallah said. “We will continue to work towards a comprehensive agreement.”
The sides have discussed changes to the policy on substance abuse and driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol. A potential hang-up on that issue was the league’s desire to immediately discipline players — as well as NFL owners, executives, officials, coaches and league office personnel — arrested for DUIs.
The NFLPA also is pushing for neutral arbitration in the appeals process and is seeking higher thresholds for positive marijuana tests. But the key element could be a test for human growth hormone.
HGH testing was agreed upon in the 2011 collective bargaining agreement that ended the lockout of the players. But the union has been uncomfortable with the science and the procedures for the testing, as well as how appeals would be handled.
In marijuana testing, the union feels the league’s threshold for a positive test of 15 nanograms per milliliter is too demanding, citing the International Olympic Committee’s threshold of 150 nanograms, 10 times as high.
“The (potency) level is so much greater in marijuana now, the secondhand smoke can get a positive test,” NFLPA President Eric Winston said. “Just a guy who is around it second-hand, then to have to go into the program? We don’t want false positive. We have to move up the minimum to normal workplace standards.”
Photo via Twitter/@IzzyGould
