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 The formal agreement, which should see HGH (Human Growth Hormone)
testing begin by the end of the month, comes nearly a week after the
players' union agreed to terms for a new policy following a vote by
player representatives.
A first violation of the performance enhancing drug policy,
including HGH, will result in a suspension without pay of up to six
games depending on the nature of the violation, the NFL and NFL
Players Association said in a joint statement.
A positive test for diuretics or masking agents will result in a
two-game ban while a positive test for a steroid, stimulant or HGH
will result in a four-game ban. Evidence of an attempt to manipulate
a test will result in a six-game ban.
A second violation of the steroid policy will result in a suspension
without pay of 10 games while a third violation will result in
banishment for a minimum of two years.
The NFL had struggled for years to reach an agreement with the union
over HGH testing but it has finally done so, more
 than a year after Major League Baseball started testing, and long
after many international sports began doing so.
The International Olympic Committee first started testing athletes
for HGH at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
The National Basketball Association and National Hockey League,
North American's two other major sports leagues, do not test for HGH
but both have said they are considering it.
The NFL also tweaked policies regarding other drugs. Players who
test positive for banned stimulants in the off season no longer will
be suspended but will be referred to the substance abuse program.
Players who test positive for stimulants during the season will
continue to be banned without pay for four games.
Appeals of positive performance enhancing drug tests will be heard
by third-party arbitrators jointly selected by the NFL and the
union.
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The new rules mean that Denver Broncos receiver Wes Welker, Dallas
Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick and St. Louis Rams receiver
Stedman Bailey are eligible to play this weekend. They have all been
serving bans for positive stimulant tests.
Welker’s return comes in time for Denver's Super Bowl rematch
against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks.
Though the Broncos have started the season 2-0, they have missed
Welker, who is the preferred target of quarterback Peyton Manning.
Scandrick and Bailey, meanwhile, could be on opposing teams when the
Cowboys and Rams clash on Sunday.
“It's time for me to go to work! CANT PLAY NO GAMES!” Bailey tweeted
after the news broke.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Frank
Pingue)
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