It’s really no surprise that the union leaders are trying to block and engage in delaying tactics to avoid complying with the HGH agreement they previously agreed on.

Although it has been initially agreed by both parties under the latest collective bargaining agreement to begin human growth hormone testing, it is now being held back with the issues of validity.

Union’s Argument on HGH Test Method

The NFL Players Association had resisted the implementation of testing for human growth hormone asking for more scientific data to prove that the HGH test used by the World Anti-Doping Agency is reliable. It was also announced earlier by the union that population study should be made to determine if the threshold for a positive test is appropriate for professional football players.

It had been initially agreed by the NFL and the union during the negotiations that they will conduct an in-season testing to randomly chosen athletes. It was further agreed that HGH testing would be unannounced.

However, nearly five months after the NFL and the NFLPA agreed to conduct the human growth hormone testing to take place, the union leaders outlined a proposal before the congress to address their dispute with the league.

One-sided Proposal on HGH Testing Procedures

The union’s proposal indicates that only off season testing will be carried out. Annual testing should only include 10 percent of the players wherein a 24 hour notice before the test will be revealed to the players prior to the test date.

Players should also be given the right to decline to be tested with a condition that they will be penalized after three missed test. The proposal however does not include concerns about the validity of the test.

League Solicit Congressional Signatures to Pursue HGH Testing

The resistance of NFLPA and their demands raised significant altercation from the National Football League and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee who initiated the start of HGH testing.

NFL is making use of a little political muscle by lobbying at the House Republicans urging congressional staffers to recommend to their bosses to sign a letter that will support the start of implementation of HGH testing this season. Brian Gaston of the Glover Park Group, a lobbyist, is hoping that the 21 members of the GOP Doc Caucus will sign.

The letter authored by Georgia Rep. Phil Gingrey, co-chairman of the doctor’s caucus and Tennessee Rep. Phil Roe, caucus vice-chair states that it is very important to prevent HGH use especially among young people. Their perspective as doctors-turned-lawyers tells them that public health policy goal is a vital thing that would help in avoiding numerous side-effects.

The member of the Congress even praised the league’s program on performance-enhancing drugs including the HGH provision according to a statement released by the NFL spokesman Greg Aiello.

The use of congressional pressure by the league is indeed a remarkable step to demand NFL players in complying with the HGH agreement. Although the congressional action would not necessary mean the passage of legislation it would eventually mandate the players to testify before the Congress. They would be imposed to swear under oath regarding HGH use.

Then again, it was the union who first sought the help of the Congress to preclude work stoppage. They requested through a letter to the lawmakers to conduct a briefing to the league together with their aides concerning the issues about the economic impact of a labor dispute.

Public hearings are yet to be scheduled in order to end this impasse. With the congressional committee being involved in the issue, this dispute is getting far from being resolved. An inclination that more is yet to come before HGH testing will be approved.

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