Human growth hormone testing in NFL is a breakthrough in North American professional sports. The league and the labor union already signed the 10-year labor deal which includes blood testing for HGH. Many commended the effort of the two parties in adopting the new anti-doping policy. However, there are still some who are not happy with the decision of their top officials.

One of them is Pittsburgh Steelers safety and player representative to the union Ryan Clark. He expressed his disappointment in a recent interview by the LA Times. “I think people wanted to get a deal done so badly that it was overlooked,” Clark said. “In that sense, players kind of got screwed, for lack of a better word.”

HGH Testing Disliked by NFL Players

HGH testing has been shunned by players for years because they contend that the existing methods of testing are unreliable. But the player’s union top officials change their stance on the issue. NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith told the media that blood testing for HGH is needed to maintain the integrity of the game.

And of course, the pressure from other stakeholders particularly the league has led to this historic agreement. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been in the forefront of this campaign. The commissioner even subjected himself to HGH testing a few months ago to prove that blood testing for growth hormone is reliable.

Blood Could be Used for Profiling

Though Clark wants a level playing field, taking blood samples from players is way too intimate. He also doubts whether the league will adhere to its promise not to use the blood samples for other medical purposes. This could be used to gather medical information from players. Another NFL player, Troy Polamalu, is also concerned on how the blood samples will be used by the league. He said there could be a possibility that it will be used as leverage in future contract negotiation with players.

NFL Dispel Fears

The test is reliable. This is the assurance of the league. According to Adolpho Birch, NFL’s VP for law and labor policy, there has been a substantial improvement in the methods of testing for HGH. The players should not worry of any false-positive result. “The test that’s in use now is accurate, it’s reliable, it’s not subject in any way, shape or form to false positives,” he said. “We know that because it has been validated internationally, and peer-reviewed.… There’s really no question it’s reliable,” Birch told LA Times.

Blood for HGH Testing Only

Birch also dispels the fears of many players that the blood samples may be used for other purposes. He said the blood required for HGH test is less than a tablespoon which is too small to divide for other laboratory tests. He assured the players that there will be strict documentation on the chain of custody for the blood samples.

HGH Testing All Year Round

Football players should be ready anytime of the year for this new anti-doping program of the league. Aside from the annual scheduled HGH testing, the league will also conduct unannounced random testing during the season. According to Birch, the players will be selected using a computer program. The actual number of players to be tested for human growth hormone has yet to be determined.

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