Roger Goodell calls HGH testing ‘overdue’

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell spoke on the issue of HGH testing on Wednesday, calling the process ‘overdue’. After a near-miss in 2011, Goodell wants to finish this up and move on to the next item to haggle over with the NFLPA.

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When asked about HGH testing, Roger went into the history of the deal as transcribed by Pro Football Talk.

"“Well, I don’t know how you get any closer than we thought we had agreed to it in 2011,” Goodell said. “It was in our agreement and we felt we had an hGH policy that was agreed to. We’ve had varying discussions with the NFLPA about getting that instituted. We think it’s overdue to get it done. We think it’s in the best interest of the players, best interest of the game and the best interest of the generations of young kids that look up to us. We welcome getting it done and we’re anxious to do so.”"

HGH testing had been part of the CBA negotiations in 2011 when the league locked out its players, but it was never finalized. Here we are three years later, hardly closer to seeing it done. Goodell predictably dodged any direct blame or blaming in the matter.

"“You know my view on that is that unfortunately over the three years, a lot of things have changed,” Goodell said. “One minute it’s this issue. Another minute it’s another. We’ve tried to address all those issues. We think we have. I’ll be happy when we can announce we have the program done and completed.”"

For now, it appears there’s precious little to announce. While the union is accused of dawdling, they would accuse Goodell and his owners of doing just the same at certain times in the process. It’s almost like the CBA negotiations all over, in fact. At least with these, we still get to watch football as talks progress.