Ronald Jones says heart-condition medication triggered PED violation

[CWR]

Appreciated.
I get what you're saying. I don't know enough to comment on the subject in that manner so I appreciate you on giving me something to chew on and look into.


Honest Edit: I'm not going to look into it. Not that interested, but you're appreciated all the same still!

Yes I've said more than my interest level merits on the subject lol. Hey we re-signed Hooker. Think I'll head that way.

 

[BlindFaith]

I dont believe it would be a huge problem honestly. First the player needs a script. How many would commit to that long term and be willing to stay up all night having to urinate? I'd make the policy in that the player would need to submit the script to the FO upon acceptance and then test said player. The way they'd use it as a masking agent is only a last resort. I can't imagine feeling 100% confident on any type of masking agent or diuretic. Knowing they are voluntary signing up for further testing may be deterrent enough.

Again, slippery slope. Id be very interested to know how HIPA laws come in to play here. Does the NFL have access to all the medical conditions a player has? And how is the validity of those conditions verified?

Example. X player "needs" a certain drug for a certain condition. That drug contains elements of banned substances.

Does the NFL simply allow that drug then, to appease said player? And then what prohbits any player to the find a "doctor" to prescribe said drug. With the intent of that player to use the drug for other purposes?

The NFL is a multi billion dollar organization. They have highly paid lawyers and advisors. Im sure this whole drug oversight situation is very well communicated amd available.

If a player fails a test, its on him and his agent not knowing or purposely skirting the rules.

 

[zack]

Question is why is he taking heart medication? We know why…

 

[dogberry]

A person of my acquaintance has a heart condition. When certain values are reached, that person takes medication for water retention. The NFL doesn't like water retention drugs.

Does the NFL still want a player to keep the NFL aware of the player's location minute by minute?

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Does anyone actually believe this BS story he's telling?

Do you have proof that he's lying?

 

[big dog cowboy]

Does anyone actually believe this BS story he's telling?

Is there a compelling reason not too?

 

[DallasEast]

Does the NFL have access to all the medical conditions a player has?

It depends. An underlying health condition would be discovered if a franchise's doctor performed a thorough medical examination of the patient. The examination's findings would be entered into the franchise doctor's medical records for the patient. How the franchise would be privy to the doctor's medical records of the patient is a question mark, since the medical records would still be considered protected health information.

EDIT (typing too fast): Additionally, a player could volunteer providing his primary care physician's medical records to their franchise doctor. The franchise doctor's medical records would then have documented evidence of a patient's health condition, which had not been revealed during an examination by that doctor.

And how is the validity of those conditions verified?

Answer: A thorough medical examination, which includes laboratory, radiology, cardiology, etc., testing dependent upon the physician's initial or subsequent diagnoses.

Does the NFL simply allow that drug then, to appease said player?

No. Any standard employer policy does not automatically allow an employee to continue working without restriction if the possibility exists that the employee is violating said policy.

The NFL's Performance Enhancing Substances policy can be reviewed at this link. The policy's Appendix I, Therapeutic Use Exemptions, page 34 - 40, are relevant review material. In this instance of Ronald Jones' suspension:

Therapeutic Use Exemptions ​

The NFL recognizes that within the list of prohibited substances there are medications that are appropriate for the treatment of specific medical conditions. For athletes who require the use of a prohibited substance to treat an appropriately diagnosed medical problem, a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) may be requested. In reviewing a TUE request, the Independent Administrator of the NFL Policy on Performance-Enhancing Substances and the Medical Advisor for the Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse have sole discretion to require medical evidence beyond that normally necessary to initiate treatment by the medical community.

<snip>

NFL REQUIREMENTS FOR THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION (TUE):
Diuretics in the Treatment of Hypertension
​

Systemic hypertension is the most common cardiovascular condition observed in competitive athletes and is defined as a having a blood pressure measurement above 140/90 on two separate occasions. There are many factors or conditions which affect blood pressure including excess body weight, excess sodium intake, renal disease, sleep apnea and other diseases. In addition, certain medications and foods can cause elevated blood pressure including, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, stimulants, corticosteroids, anti-depressant medication and alcohol. Lifestyle, medications and presence of causative diseases should be included in the evaluation and treatment of an individual with hypertension. The use of diuretics as part of the treatment of NFL players with hypertension requires a TUE.

<snip>

All TUEs for hypertension require annual renewal. The following must be submitted prior to July 1...
___________________

Whether Jones filed a TUE this year or any prior year can be questioned. He would be the patient if he was prescribed the medication. A club is not responsible for filing a TUE on behalf of the player. It is the player's responsibility to do so. I suspect this would be true since federal law prevents the release of protected health information unless the patient provides written authorization. HIPAA does contain certain exemptions where a patient's consent is not necessary, such as for continuum of care, law enforcement investigation, etc.

And then what prohbits any player to the find a "doctor" to prescribe said drug. With the intent of that player to use the drug for other purposes?

PES policy restricts players seeking performance enhancing substances. Jones has publicly stated his medication was secured for health purposes. That was his intent. Now, he has the burden of proving the validity of his claim through the league's arbitration and appeal processes.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Jones should appeal. I fail to understand why he was suspended. Heart medication???

Dang Goodell. But he doesn't have it out for the Cowboys, right?

If he doesn't appeal, then he is probably lying

 

[gtb1943]

it amazes me how many here are still drinking the NFL kool aid after all that has come out over the past ten years.

 

[Rayman70]

Gangsters run the NFL. The sad thing is, I bet we cut him because of this. Its a harsh business.

 

[Rayman70]

it amazes me how many here are still drinking the NFL kool aid after all that has come out over the past ten years.

the sheep will never think there's anything "to see here." Its willful ignorance.

 

[Rayman70]

A lot of diuretics are prescribed to lower blood pressure. Perhaps that is what was discovered?

if he appeals it, I believe him 100%. If he doesn't, he's likely guilty.

 

[Rayman70]

Heart condition medication? Not aware of any such meds that would qualify as "performance enhancing".

exactly. He's either fibbing a bit or he is telling the truth. Hard to tell. He should appeal..

 

[erod]

Is there a compelling reason not too?

Yes. He got suspended. That wasn't accidental.

 

[kskboys]

Amazing that none of the hundreds of players that have been suspended for PEDs were actually guilty...

People in prison are all innocent.

 

[erod]

Question is why is he taking heart medication? We know why…

There's that, too. Bronny James, Damar Hamlin, and a bunch of soccer players have athletes scared these days.

 

[DallasEast]

Source link

​

Ronald Jones must back up his claim in order to fight his suspension if that is his choice. However, being 26 years old and a professional athlete does not dismiss the possibility of him taking a diuretic for health purposes. Diuretics are not prescribed to old people only.

 

[McMicah]

For all those saying ‘he should’ve checked before taking that medication’…..bro….it’s for his heart…..the thing keeping him alive. If it really is that then that is completely ridiculous. The NFL needs a review board that has critical thinking skills. I would understand if this guy was an all pro, but he’s a backup that’s likely going to be cut anyway.

 

[zack]

There's that, too. Bronny James, Damar Hamlin, and a bunch of soccer players have athletes scared these days.

100%, it’s so scary to see so many young athletes drop….

Glad that my twins who are freshman college athletes avoided it.

 

[BlindFaith]

It depends. An underlying health condition would be discovered if a franchise's doctor performed a thorough medical examination of the patient. The examination's findings would be entered into the franchise doctor's medical records for the patient. How the franchise would be privy to the doctor's medical records of the patient is a question mark, since the medical records would still be considered protected health information.

EDIT (typing too fast): Additionally, a player could volunteer providing his primary care physician's medical records to their franchise doctor. The franchise doctor's medical records would then have documented evidence of a patient's health condition, which had not been revealed during an examination by that doctor.


Answer: A thorough medical examination, which includes laboratory, radiology, cardiology, etc., testing dependent upon the physician's initial or subsequent diagnoses.


No. Any standard employer policy does not automatically allow an employee to continue working without restriction if the possibility exists that the employee is violating said policy.

The NFL's Performance Enhancing Substances policy can be reviewed at this link. The policy's Appendix I, Therapeutic Use Exemptions, page 34 - 40, are relevant review material. In this instance of Ronald Jones' suspension:

Therapeutic Use Exemptions ​

The NFL recognizes that within the list of prohibited substances there are medications that are appropriate for the treatment of specific medical conditions. For athletes who require the use of a prohibited substance to treat an appropriately diagnosed medical problem, a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) may be requested. In reviewing a TUE request, the Independent Administrator of the NFL Policy on Performance-Enhancing Substances and the Medical Advisor for the Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse have sole discretion to require medical evidence beyond that normally necessary to initiate treatment by the medical community.

<snip>

NFL REQUIREMENTS FOR THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION (TUE):
Diuretics in the Treatment of Hypertension
​

Systemic hypertension is the most common cardiovascular condition observed in competitive athletes and is defined as a having a blood pressure measurement above 140/90 on two separate occasions. There are many factors or conditions which affect blood pressure including excess body weight, excess sodium intake, renal disease, sleep apnea and other diseases. In addition, certain medications and foods can cause elevated blood pressure including, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, stimulants, corticosteroids, anti-depressant medication and alcohol. Lifestyle, medications and presence of causative diseases should be included in the evaluation and treatment of an individual with hypertension. The use of diuretics as part of the treatment of NFL players with hypertension requires a TUE.

<snip>

All TUEs for hypertension require annual renewal. The following must be submitted prior to July 1...
___________________

Whether Jones filed a TUE this year or any prior year can be questioned. He would be the patient if he was prescribed the medication. A club is not responsible for filing a TUE on behalf of the player. It is the player's responsibility to do so. I suspect this would be true since federal law prevents the release of protected health information unless the patient provides written authorization. HIPAA does contain certain exemptions where a patient's consent is not necessary, such as for continuum of care, law enforcement investigation, etc.



PES policy restricts players seeking performance enhancing substances. Jones has publicly stated his medication was secure for health purposes. That was his intent. Now, he has the burden of proving the validity of his claim through the league's arbitration and appeal processes.

Thanks. Appreciate the work.