possibly in as little as 7 to 10 days. be ready for the nfl as we know it to change until they figure out how to beat the test. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7101465/hgh-test-tap-nfl-not-fast-union-says WASHINGTON -- Two key congressman emerged from an hour-long meeting with the NFL and players union and announced a deal to begin blood-testing players for human growth hormone. Minutes later, union officials would commit only to testing when a fair and safe system is in place -- what they've been saying all along. After Friday's high-profile mix of sports and politics, HGH testing in pro football didn't seem closer to reality. "We're not guaranteeing any outcomes except there was an agreement to begin testing immediately," Rep. Darrell Issa, a California Republican and chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, told reporters after the meeting. "The other aspects of what you do with the tests will be resolved over the next many weeks, and we've agreed on a bipartisan basis to have the committee play a role if necessary" to bring the sides together again. Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, the top Democrat on the committee, said he felt the two sides benefited from being called in. "Because I think they had their own disputes, and it seemed like they just could not move quite past a certain point," he said. He stressed that the lawmakers wanted action now: "Not get there next year -- we were clear that the ball has to move down the field immediately." But the NFL Players Association didn't seem inclined to move off its previous position: That it wants questions answered before moving ahead with a blood-testing program. "We believe that we have to report back to our players, make sure that the protocol and the testing protocols are safe," union spokesman George Atallah said, standing in the same spot as the lawmakers shortly after their news conference. "Once we feel that way, which we hope will be as soon as possible -- obviously the chairman and congressman Cummings can help us facilitate that -- we'll be in a position to start testing as soon as possible." Asked if the union agreed to testing this season, he responded, "We will begin implementing testing as fast as possible." Later, he tweeted, "The challenge for us as a league and a sport is to ensure that we have a clean game, but a fair system." The latest collective bargaining agreement between the league and its players includes a provision to begin testing players for HGH -- contingent on the union agreeing to the testing methods. The NFLPA has asked for more scientific data to prove the most popular test is reliable. Baltimore Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth, who attended the meeting, said the union has a responsibility to players to make sure the test is accurate, so "we can look them in the eye and say this is a safe and fair process." If the issue isn't resolved shortly, both sides can expect a quick return visit to Capitol Hill. Issa said he wants another meeting in 30 days to review progress, but if testing doesn't start soon, he'll ask for a quicker follow-up, perhaps in two weeks. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell saw things the way the lawmakers did, saying that Issa was clear he wanted testing to begin within the next two weeks. Did the players agree to that? "Everyone around the table agreed to that," the commissioner said. He added that the league could have testing in place within seven to 10 days.
Hahaha this. It'll be interesting to see how many players this would affect. devilonthetownhallroof was sayin' other day he doesn't think HGH isn't very beneficial to a football player, or something like that. That's questionable.
Who cares for most of the non freakish athletes of this world performance enhancing drugs are either Viagra, Valtrex or extasy. They test for that shit then I am fucked.
Great job Congress. The country is literally melting down around you but sure, spend your time worrying about drug testing in the NFL.
it will be interesting to see the affects, guys like matthews are one thing, i think it will have a big effect on quite a bit of the nfl. it woulda been nice for them to keep it quiet and just smash everybody with a test out of nowhere. half the league would have been suspended all at once.
Yeah Mark Sanchez will be thrown out of the league for his HGH use. And the kickers!! Holy fuck the whole league is going to need kickers with all of the HGH legs out there. Suspensions for everyone!
Bills announce that Shawn Merriman's status of "questionable" has been downgraded to "out" - he hasn't travelled to Jersey for the game with the Giants. I'm sure it's a coincidence.
Congress is justified in having a concern with this because of the trickle down of PED use into high school sports. Some studies show 15% of high school athletes using PEDs.
could care less about 15% of upper to middle class HS kids juicing when I hear proposals for the cutting of social security
yeah until those kids have no hips at 40 years old and cant walk and have to be on social security for the rest of their lives.
How do you thinnk it will affect how the game is played? More defensive more Offensive? Pass Happy Or more dominated by the trenches?
i think you will see a drop in size and wont have monstrous guys running around as fast as running backs. i also think it will bring more superstars to the top and drop even more off the list.. those guys that are just naturally more talented than everyone else will be less affected and should really shine. and those who were being propped up by additives will fall off quickly. just like in baseball as we have seen with so many guys just having huge drops in production.
its amazing how many people have just that opinion on it. seems people dont really give a shit as long as its interesting for them. as much as i cant stand some nfl players i feel as though its almost necessary to play at a high level at this point to use peds. and its a shame that kids who dont want to partake are pretty much pushed out because of it.
