National Football League

NFL's HGH testing remains on hold

Published Sep. 15, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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The NFL’s goal of becoming the first major sports league in the U.S. to test for human growth hormone remains on hold indefinitely and chances the test will debut this season appear to dim with each passing week.

“We are waiting for the union's green light,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told FOXSports.com. “Our green light is on.”

The NFL and NFL Players Association haven’t scheduled a meeting to finalize the rules that govern how players are tested for HGH, a substance NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told FOXSports.com and Sirius XM NFL Radio last week could be an issue in the sport. Synthetic HGH can speed recovery from strenuous workouts and aid in the development of lean muscle mass.

The HGH blood test — a version of which has been used on the international level since the 2004 Summer Games — was agreed to in the new collective bargaining agreement, although the union has raised concerns in recent weeks. The NFLPA, according to a person with knowledge of the talks, questions the test’s effectiveness — including the possibility of false positives — because an NFL player’s size and weight is out of line with most Olympic athletes.

Union lawyers requested additional materials — including documents and a sample of the testing kit — two weeks ago that have yet to be delivered. Without the information, the NFLPA will not likely approve the testing — a must since the NFL’s drug policy is a joint venture.

“The test works and WADA hopes that there will be more testing of blood so that those athletes who cheat by using HGH will be caught,” David Howman, director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency, said in a statement. “WADA is disappointed with the stance of the NFLPA because there is no scientific evidence for the players’ representatives to dispute the test.”

Officials from the NFL and NFLPA attended a summit at WADA’s headquarters in Montreal last month to be briefed in detail about the test, which is also used in minor league baseball.

“We gave a very thorough presentation on the HGH test, and at the meeting the NFLPFA’s science experts did not question the science behind it,” Howman said. “WADA looks forward to the NFLPA and the NFL concluding their discussions in a sensible fashion so that together they can become leaders in the fight against HGH in sport. We will continue to offer guidance and expertise on this issue when required."

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