WADA (ignoring the gratuitous Tombstone reference in the headline above) announced that the agency is close to implementing a lab test for HGH. Story here in the Charlotte Observer (where the Panthers players were implicated in HGH use weeks before the Superbowl a few years ago).
Gene Upshaw, president of the NFL player's union, already reacted to throw up a roadblock.
Frankly, Mr Upshaw, your response is a stereotyped, tired old knee-jerk reaction that gives the appearance you're covering the cheating player's butts. OK, you're going to assert your power. However, consider the image of the NFL; consider the anti-doping movement momentum that finds motivation in keeping sports clean.
WADA may not sport the purest of records in the process of testing, adjudicating the response, and keeping confidentiality; however the NFL looks pathetic in it's anti-doping policy.
American pro sports remain renegade in their stance on anti-doping. The NFL, NBA, and MLB stand outside of the Olympic movement. Do the leagues enjoy the negative publicly surrounding BALCO or the Carolina Panther scandal? There may come a day when American professionals are not allowed in Olympic competition, because they do not adhere to WADA standards (although this would only currently affect the NBA, the least dirty pro league).
The NFL should move cautiously to determine the lab validity of a test for HGH. The NFL should carefully consider implementation of such testing, in a way that is fair to players, with a solid and fair appeals system. But don't appear obstructionist to keeping the sport clean.
The World Anti-Doping Agency says it's close to a breakthrough in the fight against human growth hormone abuse by athletes -- the introduction this year of the first widely distributed blood testing kits for HGH.
The NFL, which does not blood-test players and is virtually defenseless against HGH, says it would consider using the test.
But, firmly opposed is NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw, who says he doesn't trust the world's foremost anti-doping organization.
(Upshaw's remarks after the jump)
"I have no confidence in WADA or their kits," he told the Observer in an e-mail. "I have my doubts about WADA and their history. I am not willing to accept them as an authority on this.
"The league may have some interest, but it will not be done without approval of the players."
Under the NFL's collective-bargaining system, Upshaw and the league have to agree before changes are made to the league's testing policy for steroids and related substances.
MLBPA accepted WADA testing for the WBC. I don't recall hearing the names of any players who tested positive (there may have been some).
Do you think these players were clean?
or
Do you think that these players were getting around the WADA testing? What percentage?
Posted by: gene upsahw | 01/21/2007 at 11:08
so do you really believe in that 1%?
I mean, I know you don't believe in figures for any of the other sports, but do you for the NFL?
Posted by: gene upsahw | 01/21/2007 at 13:38
Those are good questions.
I don't think WADA testing is perfect nor magic. In fact it sounds like a pain sometimes.
Yet WADA has developed a better protocol than the pro leagues, and should be looked at. Upshaw isn't just rejecting WADA, he is rejecting the idea of HGH testing. That is unwise.
1% of the NFL is laughable level. 1% are caught.
The players are simply using undetectable drugs like HGH, insulin, IGF, and probably cheque drops. The Carolina Panthers, and Ross Grimsley hint at this.
----
Yeah, I don't recall anyone in the WBC testing positive.
Posted by: grg51 | 01/21/2007 at 20:11
thank you very much for your replies.
Posted by: gene upsahw | 01/21/2007 at 20:18