Congress Getting Involved, Pushing for HGH Testing

[Hostile]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/18/congress-pressures-nfl-to-test-for-hgh/related

At a time when a former member of the U.S. Congress thinks the nation’s legislative body should squeeze the NFL and the NFLPA* into solving the lockout, two current members of Congress have penned a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA* executive director DeMaurice Smith requesting that pro football establish a “thorough testing program for HGH.”

And if the NFLPA* doesn’t, the next question becomes whether Congress will force the issue.

 

[JPM]

James Harrison is in trouble.

 

[Hostile]

James Harrison is in trouble.

Yeah, first the dirty play, now the dirty blood.

 

[Yeagermeister]

James Harrison is in trouble.

The whole Stealer team

 

[Hoofbite]

I don't know why any player would be against it.

Makes sure the paydays go to the clean, hard workers instead of the cheaters.

Only reason any player would be against it is because they are dirty.

 

[DragonCowboy]

How is testing working now? Do they not test regularly at all?

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I don't know why any player would be against it.

Makes sure the paydays go to the clean, hard workers instead of the cheaters.

Only reason any player would be against it is because they are dirty.

Um, the majority are IMO.

 

[WoodysGirl]

How is testing working now? Do they not test regularly at all?

They don't test blood. All tests are urine-based.

I think the NFLPA is against it because they believe that there isn't a test that can be performed accurately for it without doing blood tests. I also think there's an issue of privacy, too.

 

[burmafrd]

the privacy thing is really BS. There are ways to make sure that any results are kept confidential - with the NFL they can afford to pay well so there is no problems. There is no reason not to use blood tests for everything; it is much more reliable and complete. The only real reason anyone is against it is that they are either dirty or some of the leaders are afraid real testing will show that the NFL as a whole is a lot dirtier then it has claimed.

 

[UnoDallas]

the chemists are always ahead of the government - the FDA Etc...........

always were always will be

 

[burmafrd]

that is why you don't go to the government on this. Go to private industry which is always way ahead of anything the government has anyway.

 

[arglebargle]

The move to a blood test IS a major step. IF they're so serious, work towards finding a less invasive method of testing.

The more this sort of thing gets done, the more other elements will point to it as acceptable and start requiring it for all sorts of other things.

It will creep, and the info will leak.

 

[hutch1254]

Even Harrison's dog would be in trouble. Jim put his HGH laced water in the dog bowl and the dog attacked his son. Maybe his son was wearing an Aaron Francisco Cardinals jersey.

 

[burmafrd]

The move to a blood test IS a major step. IF they're so serious, work towards finding a less invasive method of testing.

The more this sort of thing gets done, the more other elements will point to it as acceptable and start requiring it for all sorts of other things.

It will creep, and the info will leak.

You must be living in the 70's. Got news for you; there is no such thing as privacy or secrecy anymore. That is a red herring.

Invasive: another excuse. Total BS.

And so what if it is demanded elsewhere? Nothing is going to stop it becoming fact.

Anyone crying about this is living in the past and does not really care about getting things done.

 

[zrinkill]

Oh great ...... more government involvement.

 

[DragonCowboy]

They don't test blood. All tests are urine-based.

I think the NFLPA is against it because they believe that there isn't a test that can be performed accurately for it without doing blood tests. I also think there's an issue of privacy, too.

Hmm...

Do you know how much blood is required for testing, and what kind of privacy stuff are they worried about? Like if a player is HIV positive they don't want it to spread?

And I honestly don't know (the last time I got tested for volunteering was a urine sample), are blood samples a much better indicator than urine or hair follicles?

If it's just a small amount of blood, I don't see the problem with it. Type I diabetics (and some Type II's) ***** their finger multiple times a day.

 

[burmafrd]

blood tests are much more accurate than either urine or hair follicles.

 

[DragonCowboy]

Oh great ...... more government involvement.

Does the government have the right to force something like this or is it just a "strong suggestion"?

I don't think HGH is illegal (is it?), but does Congress have some authority (I have no idea how the anti-trust stuff works) with the NFL?

 

[burmafrd]

There is no good reason not to test for HGH. If you want to proclaim the NFL as without taint, then you have to agressively test. Which they have not done.

NO one really trusts baseball now because of steroids and such. The NFL needs to think about that; and the players need to get off of their high horse.

 

[Hostile]

Oh great ...... more government involvement.

My reaction too. If they wanted in they should have jumped in as soon as the two sides dug foxholes and prepared for war, not as a peace treaty is near accord.