NFL to begin HGH testing for the first time under new drug policy

NFL to begin HGH testing for the first time under new drug policy
(Image credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The NFL on Wednesday announced a new drug testing policy for this season that will for the first time include testing for human growth hormorne, or HGH. The new policy also revises the punishments for positive tests of some PEDs, and says appeals of positive tests will be heard by third-party arbitrators.

Since the changes are to go into effect this season, and the league will revise the punishments for players who were previously suspended, including the Denver Broncos' Wes Welker.

The league and the players' association agreed to begin HGH testing in 2011, but players balked at immediately instituting it over concerns with how the testing would work.

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Jon Terbush

Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.