The National Football League and NFL Players Association have reached
agreement on aseries of improvements to their policy and program on
anabolic steroids and related substances,it was announced today.
The modifications include a 40 percent increase in the number of
players randomly tested eachweek during the preseason, regular season
and post-season from seven to 10 per team. Last year, the number of
random off-season tests was increased from a maximum of two per player
to six per player. These changes bring the total number of steroid
tests conducted annually by the NFL to 12,000.
Other changes in the program are the following:
The additional use of carbon isotope ratio testing on a random
basis to detect low doses of testosterone. All specimens now will be
subject to random selection for CIR testing. Previously, CIR testing
was only used to confirm positive tests for testosterone.The
additional use of carbon isotope ratio testing on a random basis to
detect low doses of testosterone. All specimens now will be subject to
random selection for CIR testing. Previously, CIR testing was only
used to confirm positive tests fortestosterone.
The addition of erythropoietin (EPO) to the banned substance list.
Testing for EPO will begin with the 2007 annual test that is
administered in the spring or summer.The addition of erythropoietin
(EPO) to the banned substance list. Testing for EPO will begin with
the 2007 annual test that is administered in the spring or summer.
A minimum $500,000 NFL grant to the UCLA Olympic testing laboratory
and other researchers for the development of new testing methods for
HGH. In addition, a working group will be established to study the
issues related to deterring the use of human growth hormone (HGH).A
minimum $500,000 NFL grant to the UCLA Olympic testing laboratory and
other researchers for the development of new testing methods for HGH.
In addition, a working group will be established to study the issues
related to deterring the use of human growth hormone (HGH).
Enhancement of the unpredictability of the year-round testing
schedule to address the perception of gaps in the testing
periods.Enhancement of the unpredictability of the year-round testing
schedule to address the perception of gaps in the testing periods.
A new feature of the Collective Bargaining Agreement that provides
for automatic forfeiture of a prorated portion of a player's signing
bonus if he is suspended for violating the steroid or substance abuse
policy. These changes are effective immediately. Further review of the
policy by the NFL and NFLPA will continue and more changes may be made
prior to the start of the 2007 season.
In addition to these steps, the NFL Youth Football Fund, jointly
endowed by the NFL and NFLPA, also recently approved a $1.2 million
steroids education grant to the Center for Health
Promotion Research at the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)
in Portland, Oregon.A new feature of the Collective Bargaining
Agreement that provides for automatic forfeiture of a prorated portion
of a player's signing bonus if he is suspended for violating the
steroid or substance abuse policy.
These changes are effective immediately. Further review of the policy
by the NFL and NFLPA will continue and more changes may be made prior
to the start of the 2007 season. In addition to these steps, the NFL
Youth Football Fund, jointly endowed by the NFL and NFLPA, also
recently approved a $1.2 million steroids education grant to the
Center for Health Promotion Research at the Oregon Health and Science
University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon.
