The NFL is the first professional league in North America to test for the controversial HGH drug. The league was lauded for this initiative but skeptics still doubts if the new anti-doping program will become a success. A portion of the newly drafted CBA states, “the parties confirm that the Program on Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances will include both annual blood testing and random blood testing for human growth hormone, with discipline for positive tests at the same level as for steroids.”

Last week, some football players aired their concerns on the procedures that will be implemented by the league. They contend that there is a possibility that the blood samples could be used in profiling players. Although the league already assured them that it will only be used for the HGH test.

More Compelling Issues

Now that HGH testing is part of the 10-year CBA, the issue now is on how it can effectively catch doping football players. Some players previously claimed that more than 10 percent of the players in the league could be on HGH. Others claim that the rate is higher which can reach up to 50%. With this figure, it is but right for the sport organization to adopt HGH testing. However, the current testing method for HGH can only detect the substance within 24-48 hours. A very short window period for anti-doping testers.

Anti-doping expert Charles Yesalis contends that the method of HGh testing is weak. “I don’t trust that test. It can only catch people in a small window of opportunity,” he told the Discovery.com website. He also said the human growth hormone is released in an episodic manner so the level of HGH in the body varies. This is the reason why others worry about the reliability of the testing.

Another issue that Yesalis pointed out is on how the testing procedure is implemented. “There’s not an independent group that is coming in to do the testing. The proof will be in the details and how it is implemented,” Yesalis added.

HGH Works like Steroids

Health experts are convinced that many professional athletes, not just in the football league, are using the synthetic human growth hormone. The reasons are very obvious. HGH works like anabolic steroids. This drug promotes the release of insulin growth factor in the body. It targets on muscles and bones and then turns fats into muscles. It also helps the immune system. “It does many of the things that anabolic steroids do, such as increasing strength and helping recuperation from workouts. It has all the good stuff that athletes desire,” Yesalis said.

Matt Chaney, author of a book discussing doping in football, also told the Discovery.com that many players are using HGH because it makes them more powerful. Players told him that HGH is usually combined with a low dose of anabolic steroids to avoid getting positive result in a steroid test.

First Season, the Test Drive

The league is confident that the HGH testing together with game-day testing for steroids and HGH will catch a number of doping players. But the success of these new programs can be assessed only after a season or a year of comprehensive implementation. If there is no increase in the number of positive test or none of the players were caught using HGH, then the new anti-doping initiative is not working.

The incident at the Canada-US border involving Buffalo Bills linebacker Shawne Merriman is just a part of a routine check implemented by border officers. However, a news report that began circulating last week claims that it was not an ordinary inspection but a search that led to the detention of the linebacker.

According to the unnamed source of the Buffalo Sports Daily, Merriman was detained by US Customs officers for possessing steroids. The incident happened last July 28 when Merriman was headed to the Bill’s training camp. Allegedly, “Lights Out” was apprehended at around 2:00 am but was released because mere possession of steroids is not a criminal offense. Information as to the amount of steroids or type of steroid seized from Merriman was not included in the report.

Merriman was not Happy with the Report

In an effort to clear his name, Merriman aired his side through Twitter. He is not happy with the report. “To answer your question guys im disappointed by a story that was written by a Buffalo writer regarding a routine stop at the Canadian border a few weeks ago,” he tweeted.

He vehemently denied that he was apprehended because of steroid possession. “To clarify, there was … Absolutely NO steroids found in my vehicle & there were NO charges against me. I’ve received a great welcome by the community and fans.” Merriman insisted that he is working hard in doing a good job in the field. “I’ve worked my butt off to have a great season,” he said.

Linebacker Explained What Happened

Merriman also told the Buffalo News that he usually go to Canada but not to buy steroids as others hinted. “I go there to get some massage therapy work done.” He explained that it was just a routine inspection in the border. “They just questioned me about some bags and stuff I had. I was stopped and that was it. I was coming to camp. I had suitcases and stuff like that. They just wanted to go through all my stuff,” he added.

Another website reported that the U.S. Attorney’s office in Buffalo and the U.S. Border Patrol already confirmed the claims of Merriman.

Suspicion of Steroids Possession Not Surprising

Shawne Merriman must really clear this issue. If he will not defend himself, people will think that he is taking steroids again. The linebacker was given a 4-game suspension in 2006 for violating the performance enhancing drugs policy of the league. The league found in his system the steroid nandrolone but Merriman contends that the steroid came from a tainted supplement he was taking that time.

Merriman, who was drafted 12th in 2005 NFL Draft, is not an ordinary player in the field. He was nicknamed “Lights Out” because of his hard hits and aggressive behavior. He was playing for the San Diego Chargers when he received the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The linebacker was acquired by the Buffalo Bills last year and showed impressive pre-season games. Merriman’s overall performance in the field declined recently because of several injuries so some people thought he might be using steroids again.

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.

Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus is one of the few dedicated people trying to eradicate steroid abuse in sports. He recently graced in a world fitness convention in Los Angeles where he encourage people to buy certified supplement products free from any steroid content. Butkus is also busy with his “I Play Clean” campaign in schools across the country.

The “I Play Clean” initiative is focused on educating young athletes, particularly those in the high school level, about the dangers of using performance enhancing drugs like steroids and HGH. They also target coaches and parents to take an active part in preventing the abuse of these drugs.

Butkus told Yahoo Sports how he became involved in this anti-PED initiative. “Maybe six years ago, I was with some high-school athletes, and the subject of steroids came up, which really shocked me. I was amazed that they were just talking about it like they’d talk about the weather.”

Young Athletes are Aware of the Dangers of Steroids

In the interview of Big Lead Sports, Dick Butkus said that young athletes are now more aware of the consequences of taking performance enhancing drugs. However, the task does not end in educating these student athletes. Coaches and parents must continue to guide these athletes. The pressure and the desire to excel in their sports could lead these athletes to wrong decisions. “They are the ones who need to be involved and prevent dangerous steroids and [PEDs] from even becoming a part of lives of these athletes,” Butkus said.

Young athletes are more prone to the side effects of steroids because they usually take it without supervision. Their young bodies are also susceptible to long term damage including liver and heart problems

New Anti-Doping Programs of the NFL are Good

The former pro bowler is happy with the developments in the NFL. The league announced recently that they will adopt game-day testing for steroids and blood testing for HGH in the coming season. He said that these programs will benefit the players especially in protecting their health. According to Butkus, there are studies that the use of HGH can cause serious health risks particularly cancer. He also revealed that HGH can actually lower an athlete’s strength instead of raising their power.

Endorsing Supplements

Aside from the steroid awareness campaign, Butkus is also endorsing supplements for athletes. “Through “Play Clean” and working with EAS, we are really out there making people aware of the dangers and the positive alternatives,” he said.

The products are different from other over the counter supplements because it is 100% certified. He claims the products from EAS (Energy Athletics Strength) are free from any banned performance enhancing drugs. “You can go into a health food store and buy something off the shelf and have a 20% chance of testing positive for steroids. EAS brands are 100% certified. They’ve been tested by the FDA.”

“It’s important to know what you’re taking. You have to look at the ingredients when you look that supplements,” Butkus told the Big Lead Sports.

The 4 month lock out was in a way good for the league and the players union. This resulted to better policies particularly in adopting programs that will create a more level playing field. The league and the players union agreed on two major breakthroughs in the history of the football league.

First is the inclusion of human growth hormone testing and the second is the adoption of game-day testing for performance enhancing drugs. This will make the league as the first professional sports organization in the country to adopt these anti-doping policies. Another good thing about these new programs is it will be in place for 10 years.

NFL’s senior vice president of law and labor policy Adolpho Birch commended the players union in concurring with these proposals during a press conference. “This was a critical step in the evolution of our policy, and I think both parties - particularly the union - should be commended for taking that step to ensure our game remains to the public and to our players as an area for clean competition, that it protects the health and safety of our players, and sends the right message to youth and young athletes,” Birch said.

Game-Day Testing will Focus on HGH and Steroids

According to Birch, the game-day testing will focus on HGH and steroids and will not include tests for recreational drugs. The aim is to deter players from using performance enhancing drugs. “This is primarily a competitive issue, so we do not contemplate utilizing it for the substances-of-abuse recreational drugs. But it is something that will involve any of the potential testing we do under the steroid policy,” said Birch. The game-day testing is just an addition to the regular drug testing of the league.

The league assured baseball fans and the players that the tests will not be disruptive. Birch, who is also overseeing the drug testing of the NFL, told the media that they were able to develop a new solution that will allow efficient administration of game-day testing.

HGh Testing and Game-Day Testing on Season Opening

The NFL is confident that the new anti-doping measures will be implemented when the new season starts. The only problem of the league is the specific rules and regulations on conducting the HGH tests. The league and the players union are still deliberating on testing procedures that will be acceptable to both parties.

Window Period for HGH is Short

NFL officials know that even if the league adopted HGH testing, it is still difficult to catch players using the said performance enhancing drug. The detection window for HGH is too short which is only within a day or two. However, they are still optimistic that the program will be effective. Birch said that the design of the program will sufficiently deter players and detect HGH use. “That is really part of the mechanism and framework of how we have chosen to do the testing,” he said.

Birch contends that reliability issue is not a problem anymore because of the improvement of technology. Players should not worry of any false positives for the human growth hormone drug.

Comprehensive Drug Testing

The league will test players at least 22 times during in-season and 6 times during the off-season. Birch said that the number of tests is not too much. They are more concerned on when and how these tests will be conducted to be more efficient. He cited, as an example, random testing as an effective deterrent for PED’s use.

Once these programs are in place, the league can now boast of a well crafted sports anti-doping program.

After easing out the conflicts between the players, the team and the league, the CBA is expected to be signed on Thursday. But another issue that must be tackled is the inclusion of human growth hormone testing. Insiders told the media that both the league and the players association are determined to implement the anti-doping measure once the season starts.

New HGH Testing Expected on September

Anti-doping officers will be extracting blood samples from the NFL players next month according to the source privy to the on-going negotiations. Commissioner Roger Goodell has been pushing for this measure and he was able to get an ally from the players association’s chief DeMaurice Smith. It is definite that HGH testing will be part of the anti-doping policy of the football league. Officials are discussing the specifics on how to implement the new anti-doping program.

Both Parties are Committed

According to chief legal counsel of the league, Jeff Pash, both sides showed commitment in having the best possible anti-doping program. “They recognize that having testing for growth hormone is part of having the best program,” Pash told the NY Times. On the other hand, the player’s union is still silent on the development of the proposal. The union spokesman George Atallah said this week that the players have not agreed to any comprehensive drug testing program.

The players are not so excited about the inclusion of HGH testing to the current steroid testing program of the football league. One of their apprehensions is the reliability of the test. This contention has already been debunked by anti-doping experts from the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) saying the testing methods have already improved. HGH can’t be detected in the urine sample of athletes that is why blood testing is recommended.

NFL Players May Ask Conditions Before Accepting the Proposal

According to the NY times, there are so many possible issues that the players would challenge before accepting HGH testing. Players may ask the league to let third parties handle their appeal if they failed the growth hormone test. Under the current policy, the complaints of players are being heard and decided by the commissioner’s office.

The players union could also ask the league to allow them take a bigger role in administering the anti-doping program. The frequency of the test has yet to be determined by both parties. The league and the player’s union will still agree on the number of players to be tested every season. How many of these players will be tested out of competition and during the season. Both parties will surely agree on random testing of players and not for a comprehensive coverage of the entire roster in each team.

They could also suggest that the player’s hotline must be managed by the union to avoid problems similar to the Starcaps case. The league failed to inform players that the dietary supplement Starcaps contains a diuretic, a banned substance.

If there will be no more hindrances on this HGH testing, the NFL will be the first pro league in North America to adopt human growth hormone testing.