NFL player reps to discuss drug policy that could include HGH tests

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., on Aug. 18, 2014. (AP / Evan Vucci)

NEW YORK -- Player representatives to the union will again discuss the NFL's latest drug policy proposal, and on the table are changes that could provide for HGH testing.

A conference call was scheduled for late afternoon and a vote was possible. The 32 player reps did not vote earlier this week after a similar call.

The league and union initially agreed to testing for human growth hormone when the collective bargaining agreement was reached in 2011. But the players have balked at the science in the testing, and also at the appeals process for positive tests.

Alterations to the substance abuse policy also could result in several currently suspended players having their bans reduced. That could include Browns receiver Josh Gordon, who is suspended for the 2014 season.

"Just because we've heard everything and seen everything, until we get official word from the league and then start to respond, you don't get your hopes up, it's rumours and innuendo," Browns coach Mike Pettine said Friday. "I'll believe it when I see it."

The sides have discussed changes to the policy on substance abuse and driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol. A potential hang-up on that issue was the league's desire to immediately discipline players -- as well as NFL owners, executives, officials, coaches and league office personnel -- arrested for DUIs. NFLPA President Eric Winston told The Associated Press last week that ignoring a player's rights to due process would not be considered by the union.

The NFLPA also is pushing for neutral arbitration in the appeals process and is seeking higher thresholds for positive marijuana tests.

In marijuana testing, the union feels the league's threshold for a positive test of 15 nanograms per millilitre is too demanding, citing the IOC's threshold of 150 nanograms, 10 times as high.

The NFL threshold was collectively bargained. But, Winston said last Friday, anyone within the vicinity of people smoking marijuana without partaking themselves could wind up testing positive at such a low number.

The union has insisted that a satisfactory proposal to them must deal with a multitude of drug policy issues. Spokesman George Atallah said last week a "piecemeal" agreement did not interest players.