Just before the Super Bowl proclaimed a new champion, the players union sent a message to critics and the football league that they will not allow bullying just to force HGH testing on football players. This was divulged by the NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith in the annual Super Bowl conference. “No one will bully us into a test. No one will force the players to accept something that’s unfair,” Smith said.

This is a total contradiction on the stand of the football league. According to Goodell, they are hoping that the human growth hormone test will be implemented in the next off-season. The league is optimistic that the previous meetings with the union representatives are moving them to a better deal. It is a possibility that the union may agree to no-game day testing for HGH but there is no concrete agreement on this yet.

The Current Testing Methods for HGH

The NFLPA insists that the current testing method for human growth hormone is not 100 percent fool proof. They said there was no independent body that validated the methods. The player’s union even asked for a separate study on football players just to prove the reliability of the HGH test. However, the WADA accused the NFLPA for stalling the implementation of the new anti-doping policy. They argued that the methods are reliable and supported by many anti-doping scientists. The testing method is also used in the Olympics.

Lawmakers are also trying to persuade the union to accept the testing. The continued resistance of the union for a more stringent anti-doping measure could be perceived negatively by young football fans. Last December, Senator McCain urged his colleagues in the Senate to conduct a hearing on the HGH testing stand off. There was also a move in the Lower House but it seems the pressure is not affecting the union at this time.

The Union will continue to Fight

The NFL may not be able to put into effect HGH testing in the next season if the union will continue imposing their demands. As long as Smith will be representing the football players, the league will be facing a hard time fulfilling their promise to institute better policy for football. “We are going to continue to fight and ensure that due process is something that is not thrown away at the expense of just having the test,” said Smith at the press conference.

However, Smith clarified that if they can get a system that is truly transparent, then they will adhere to the HGH testing. The union is committed to safeguard the player’s safety and health. Smith also pointed out his concern on the health care for former players and the use of painkillers in the football league.

Those people who will try to bully the player’s union in taking HGH test will surely find stiff resistance and will never achieve a “touchdown” on this issue. The major sports organization in the country that boasted another breakthrough in the anti-doping initiative will possibly be the last to implement such program.

The CBA six months ago could have been a remarkable achievement for both the football league and the player’s union. They agreed in principle to include human growth hormone testing in the existing anti-doping policy. Everybody praised them for becoming the first major sports organization in the country to adopt such policy. However, the jubilation of many, especially those who are against doping, was short lived. The union resisted the actual implementation of the HGH testing program for its reliability.

The player’s union questioned WADA’s method of testing and even requested for a separate population study just for the football players. The World Anti-Doping agency adopted the testing methods for HGH in 2004 and has not gained any resistance from various sports organizations from around the world. Many scientists have also supported the method saying it is reliable. They also contend that the methods in detecting synthetic HGH already improved.

Player’s Union Stalling the Implementation

The union has been criticized for stalling the implementation of the HGH test. The USADA, the IOC and the WADA all have the same opinion on this issue. The football player’s union does not want the test. The Congress even tried to use their power to convince the union. But it seems the NFLPA will stand on their belief whatever happens. In fact, they were able to complete a season without the HGH test. This may continue in the next season as long as the league will not concede to their demands for an independent validation of the HGH test.

Just recently, the former head of WADA, Dick Pound, lambasted the player’s union for preventing the implementation of human growth hormone test. “The NFLPA have turned to their ubiquitous lawyers to throw as much sand as money can buy into the gears of an effective testing program,” Pound wrote.

Pound added that the lawyers of the union have turned themselves into scientists and talks about concerns on the reliability of the scientific tests for HGH. The former head of WADA contend that the claims are baseless. He clarified that the WADA did not approve the HGH testing procedure if there were no consensus among experts. “No one wants any athlete to be sanctioned on the basis of a false positive test,” he added.

Players should not be Worried if they are not Doping

For Pound, it is a clear effort of the player’s union to avoid the testing for performance enhancing substances. “If the NFL players claim they are drug-free, they should be ready to prove it and stop hiding behind phoney claims that good science is bad science,” he added.

A former member of the national labor relations also echoed the same opinion. “It’s definitely more of a negotiating issue than a scientific issue. The science, so far as I understand it, is pretty clear-cut,” William Gould told the USAToday.

No Game-Day Testing in the Off-Season?

Although there was no significant agreement on both parties, the league still hopes that HGH testing can be included in the off-season. Based on online reports, the league and the union have been conducting talks to discuss the issue.

But this time, the league may concede to some terms. Originally, the league and the union both agreed to random and unannounced blood testing where each player will be tested for HGh at least once a year. It will also include game-day testing. However, most players are not in favor of game-day testing which require giving blood sample to anti-doping officials. If both parties agree on this, doping players has more time to prepare for the test. HGH supplements usually leave the body in just 2-3 days.

The implementation of HGH testing on the National Football team continues to move at a snail’s pace. There had been no significant progress on its supposed implementation in the upcoming 2012 season but NFL officials and the union already met to at least shed out their differences.

The league’s eagerness to reach an immediate agreement regarding the terms of the human growth hormone testing with the NFL Players Association is still far from reality. NFL players’ adherence to human growth hormone testing remained under negotiations with some questions raised on the reliability of the current testing protocol.

The framework for testing NFL players for human growth hormone is yet to be agreed by both sides as they still have to settle a couple of issues. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is optimistic that HGH testing could be finally implemented in 2012 season and he gave his assurance that they are going to work hard as they can to get it done.

Unresolved Issues Preventing the Implementation of HGH Testing

One of the most difficult performance-enhancer drug to detect is the human growth hormone. And the only way to test for HGH is through blood samples, a procedure that professional sports unions have long resisted because of privacy and health concerns. But the growing number of athletes that are tested positive for performance-enhancer substances cannot be disregarded.

It has to be addressed by the NFL and make sure that they are doing everything to have the best drug program in sports. The NFL is willing to spend millions annually for HGH testing to uphold its commitment and ensure the integrity of competition on the field, protect the health of the NFL players and continue to inspire young athletes.

The union has to approve HGH testing procedures and has not done so, saying it wants more information. Even though all the scientists have agreed that the test has proven its validity on a global basis, the union officials are not yet convinced on the threshold of the test.

Additional Programs for NFL

Goodell also shared the latest changes on the league regarding potential off season rules concerning the players’ safety. The NFL will add significant improvements and impose new procedures in dealing with player’s concussions. Changes include positioning independent observers during the game to help identify players who might have suffered concussions. Team’s medical staff will now be allowed to take a video to an injured player while doctors are performing possible treatment and evaluation to serve as a helpful tool to issues that may arise related to the injuries suffered by the players.

In spite of the reduction of concussions this season, NFL officials will continue to study the issue and seek further improvements. It was further clarified by the NFL commissioner that the rule changes affecting kickoffs this season made the sport safer. Moving the kickoff closer to the opposite end zone had stirred complaints from many players and coaches about the increase in touchbacks but injuries significantly declined according to Goodell which is surely a good thing. The current part-time employees that facilitate the weekly process of evaluating the calls made in the game are also considered to become full-time employees.

Additional numbers of games overseas are also being decided upon by the league, Goodell said. Possibilities of franchise based overseas are also being entertained. These are very promising modification of protocol that would surely be more significant if HGH testing for NFL players can start soon.

The standoff between the NFL and the player’s union is unlikely to be solved soon. The continued resistance of the NFL Player’s Association, as seen by critics, is just a way to get out of the previous agreement on HGH testing. The player’s union will only concede to HGh testing if the league can promise a reliable testing for human growth hormone.

Right now, the stalled implementation of the HGH testing in the NFL reached the attention of the Senate. Senator John McCain recently wrote a letter to his colleagues in the Senate to conduct a hearing on this issue. The core of his letter was focused on the continued refusal of the player’s union to submit their players on HGH tests.

HGH Testing Methods Reliable

The Senator doesn’t believe that after years of implementation of the test in other professional sports, the methods are still unreliable. McCain said that the WADA already used the methods for years and there are already a dozen of scientists who proved the efficiency of the growth hormone test. It can also send a wrong impression that the use of human growth hormone is not detrimental to the health of the players.

McCain noted that the questions of the NFL player’s union come from lawyers and not from scientists. With this concern, the senator wants to invite the World Anti-Doping Agency in a hearing to shed light on the matter. “The scientific community, both inside and outside of WADA, does not question the reliability of the hGH test. WADA cannot tell you what is really motivating the NFLPA’s reluctance to accept the hGH test, but it is certainly not science. Our interaction with the NFLPA has not involved dialog with informed scientists, but rather lawyers,” he said. McCain even described in his letter the frivolous arguments of NFLPA lawyers.

The Senator also lambasted the player’s union for not responding to the appeal of more than 2 dozen lawmakers to finally accept the previously agreed HGH testing program. “It now appears that the NFLPA may indefinitely delay testing, resulting in another season completed without fans having the confidence that the game is clean. Public doubt about the NFLPA’s commitment to ensuring that the game is played cleanly undermines consumer confidence in the entertainment product they sell.”

Questioning WADA and USADA May Affect their Credibility

Sen. McCain was also concerned on the argument of the player’s union that the methods being used by the WADA and the USADA are not reliable. Challenging these prominent and independent organizations will inflict harm to the credibility of these anti-doping agencies that have been in the forefront for clean sports. “Further, the Players Association dismissed the standing of international scientific experts who testified in an open letter to the validity and accuracy of the hGH test.”

If the public will not rely on WADA’s methods, then there is no one left to ensure clean competition and the integrity of sport said MCCain.

Congressional Inquiry Will Put the Players on a Difficult Situation

In his closing statement, Senator McCain said that there was a significant progress in the methods of testing for HGH. “By publicly challenging the scientific validity of the widely-accepted WADA test, the NFLPA may reduce public confidence that our professional sports are being played cleanly. I hope you will strongly consider convening a hearing to examine this important matter of public interest,” said the Arizona Senator.

The letter was addressed to Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), the panel’s Ranking Member. If the committee acts on this request, the NFLPA will have to face another Congressional inquiry that may just lead to a more difficult situation for the players. Though HGH is not a steroid, it is now becoming popular for its performance enhancing benefits.

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.

Some people lambasted the NFL Players Association for causing the deadlock in the previously agreed HGH testing with the league. The commissioner’s office was very optimistic a few months ago that the football league will be the first to adopt a comprehensive anti-doping policy which will include testing for human growth hormones. However, after consultation with the World Anti-Doping Agency, the player’s union changed its stance on the proposed anti-doping program.

There were mixed reactions on this issue. Some of the forerunners in the anti-doping initiative think that the refusal of the union to accept the testing is an indication that they don’t want the league to catch doping football players. The existing program only includes steroids but the use of human growth hormone is increasing in the field of sports. Critics say that the football players are not spared from the popularity of this performance enhancing drug. If the players resist the implementation of HGH testing, does it mean they don’t want to be caught?

Valid Reasons for Refusing HGH Tests

Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post has a good explanation on this issue. The players union may have a valid reason for their continued refusal to just accept the methods of testing for HGH. The union blamed the WADA for the latter’s failure to disclose significant information about the test. Though HGH testing has been in use in the Olympics for several years now, representatives of the players union still questions its validity. In the meeting with WADA officials and scientists, the union claimed that the agency did not provide them proof that the methods currently used for HGH testing is reliable. Executive Director DeMaurice Smith of the NFLPA told the media that WADA is more interested in bullying them to accept the test than in scientifically supporting and justifying their testing protocol.

Jenkins said that the WADA should also take part in the blame for its lack of transparency and refusal to answer some basic question from the players union. She asked if there is enough independently published medical science that validates the test. “How was it devised, and its parameters established?” Jenkins added.

Anti-Doping Experts urge WADA to be More Transparent

Anti-doping expert Don Catlin, though he doesn’t want to take side in the issue, is also wondering why WADA is keeping some of the information. If the agency had enough data to support their claim that the HGH testing method is accurate, why not make it public and allow other scientists to review and validate the data. “I don’t understand it. Scientists with a good finding are usually crawling to get published in a peer-reviewed journal so the world can see it,” said Catlin.

Another anti-doping expert, Chris Yesalis of Penn State, also agreed that the players union has the right to ask about the validity of the HGH test. “I love sport, but I’m not going to sacrifice scientific method to play cops and robbers,” said Yesalis who wrote books about anabolic steroids. The professor also questioned the claim of WADA regarding the false positive ratio of the HGH tests. WADA have not published studies that would back up their claim. “That’s not how science is done. You publish, make it public, and let other scientists try to replicate your results,” added Yesalis.

For Jenkins, this standoff could be solve if the league will just develop its own testing. Another thing is to allow a neutral agency handle the HGH testing. The football players only wanted transparency.