NFL spokesman Greg Aiello has posted on Twitter that Representatives Darrell Issa (R-Cal.) and Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) have announced that the NFL will implement Human Growth Hormone (HgH) testing will begin in the next 7 -10 days. The House Oversight/ Government Reform Committee had been in session with the NFL and NFLPA to iron out the impasse.
@gregaiello
Greg Aiello Congressmen Issa + Cummings announce NFL-NFLPA to begin HGH testing ASAP...should start as early next week. http://t.co/PJ5Mg0Jt
FavoriteRetweetReply
Issa and Cummings told the league and the union last month
that the elimination of performance-enhancing drugs from the sport "protects the integrity of the league as well as player health and safety. Most importantly, such testing sends a message to young athletes that performance-enhancing drugs of all kinds are not tolerated at the sport’s highest level."
@gregaiello
Greg Aiello Goodell+Pash tell media in House O'sight/Gov't Reform Comm hearing room HGH testing ready to go in 7-10 days. http://t.co/RvGJLrhf
FavoriteRetweetReply
The delay was brought on by the Players Association who were concerned with not only the procedure, but the World Anti-Doping Association's (WADA) protocol in determining what constitutes a dirty test. Their claim was that HGH naturally occurring in athletes is far different than football players. The Union wanted more data to compare against a pool of NFL players. The World Anti-Doping Agency, who is sanctioning and will oversee the testing, has declined to produce more information, saying plenty of information about the test is available publicly.
The union has questioned the safety and reliability of the test. But nearly two dozen scientists and lab directors from around the world signed a letter sent to the union and NFL stating the current test is safe, scientifically reliable and appropriate for use in professional sports leagues.