NFL Releases New Drug Policy; Welker, Others See Suspensions Reduced
Because there wasn’t enough news coming out of the National Football League already, the NFL and its player association announced an agreement on a new drug policy Wednesday.
The new policy will affect 20 players currently penalized by the old rules. That includes Wes Welker, who will have his four-game suspension for amphetamines cut in half, making him eligible to be reinstated Wednesday. Browns receiver Josh Gordon will have his year-long suspension reduced to 10 games.
The new drug policy includes changes to rules on marijuana testing, amphetamines, and driving under the influence. It also allows the league to test for human growth hormone, starting this season. A first offense for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, including HGH, will be punishable by a suspension of up to six games. Second offenses can earn 10-game suspensions. Appeals of positive tests will be heard by third-party arbitrators.
In addition, players who test positive for banned stimulants other than performance-enhancing drugs in the offseason will no longer be suspended, and instead will be referred to the substance abuse program.
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