NFL players voted and agreed on a new drug policy along with HGH testing on September 17, 2014 right in the midst of Ray Rice scandal in which the former Ravens running back was suspended originally for 2 games turned into being cut and indefinitely suspended by the NFL due to public outrage of Ray Rice elevator video being released by Tmz. The players union for some time have expressed displeasure with Roger Goodell Judge and jury style of handling player misconduct. With HGH as the bargaining chip and public pressure the players finally have a seat at the table when it comes punishment. In the new drug policy players still retain a independent investigator to review cases and both sides agreed to Arbitration on the substance abuse and PED policy. At the owners meetings yesterday October 8, 2014 the Commissioner was asked about his role in handing punishment to players and here was Goodell’s response.
“All options are on the table” and ” the league has been discussing those options for more than a year debating whether there’s a better process, more efficient, fair.”
For the players it’s looking up not down when it comes to fairness with the NFL. The Commissioner is not conceding power but is finally willing to negotiate and collectively Bargaining With NFL players union which in his words
“Something that will allow us to deal with this complexity in a way we as a league will be satisfied, players will be satisfied.”
After the storm will be calm, let’s just hope the players and the players union handle this situation delicately.
H/T AP