NFL Rumors

NFL Players Approve New Drug Policy, NFL Says Significant Issues Remains

September 13, 2014

Update:

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that there will not be an agreement between the two parties regarding a new drug policy on Sunday.

According to Rapoport, the NFL and the NFLPA are in a “very good place with this deal” and there is a chance that it could be done early this week.

The issue reportedly holding up an agreement is not suspended players being reinstated, but is instead language issues such as third-party appeals for violations.

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The NFLPA has released a statement confirms that an agreement has not been reached regarding a new NFL Drug Policy, but they are hopeful it will be done in the near future.

“The Board of Player Representatives gave the NFLPA authority to complete new drug policies with the League consistent with detailed term sheets the players reviewed. We hope to have final agreements, including effective date for players with adjusted discipline, very soon.”

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The NFL has released statement saying that a deal has not been reached, despite the release from the NFLPA and “significant unresolved issues” remain.

“We have not yet reached an agreement with the union. There continue to be significant unresolved issues.”

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that player reinstatement for Week 2’s games remains an issue.

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Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports reports that the NFLPA has approved the terms of the new drug policy.

Ian Rapoport mentions that the deal does in fact include HGH testing.
According to Rapoport, not a single player rep voted against the new policy.
Albert Breer reports that one concern among players was regarding the threshold for marijuana.

Here’s the full release from the NFLPA:

The NFLPA Board of Representatives tonight voted to approve new policies for both substances of abuse and performance enhancing drugs.

“This is an historic moment for our Players and our League,” said NFLPA President Eric Winston. “We have collectively bargained drug policies that will keep the game clean and safe, but also provide our players with an unprecedented level of fairness and transparency. Players should be proud of their union for standing up for what was best for the game.”

“We stood up and fought for what was right,” said DeMaurice Smith, NFLPA executive director. “Twenty-five years ago it was NFL players that set out to make the game clean by asking for and collectively bargaining the first drug testing policy in professional sports. Today, this union and these player leaders have approved a policy that will serve the game well for generations of players to come.”

Important changes include:

NEUTRAL ARBITRATION: An Independent Arbitrator will hear appeals for positive test violations of both Substances of Abuse and Performance Enhancing Drug Policies. The NFL and NFLPA will jointly select, approve and pay for retention of 3-5 arbitrators.
AMENDING MARIJUANA POLICIES: The threshold for a positive test for marijuana will increase to 35 ng/ml from the previous limit of 15 ng/ml. There will be additional steps for players who test positive for the substance before suspension.
RETROACTIVITY: Discipline of players for certain violations in the 2014 League Year will have their discipline adjusted by certain aspects of the new policies.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE: Players successfully rejected the league’s proposal to issue discipline upon arrest, prior to adjudication. A two-game suspension will be issued upon conviction or plea agreement for violations of law involving alcohol and driving.
AMPHETAMINES: During the off-season, a first time positive test for amphetamines without a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) will now be evaluated under the Substances of Abuse Policy. During the season, a positive test without a TUE will continue to be a violation of the Performance Enhancing Drug Policy.
HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE TESTING:Testing for hGH will occur in the 2014 season. Players have the right to challenge any aspect of the science of the hGH isoforms test. The collection of blood specimens is prohibited on game days.
DISCIPLINE FOR BREACHES OF CONFIDENTIALITY: The NFL and NFLPA will have the right to retain independent investigators to review cases where player confidentiality as related to the drug policies has been breached. Employees of the NFL/NFLPA/Clubs, players, certified contract advisors (agents) and policy administrators found to be in violation will face fines up to $500,000 and/or termination or other discipline.