5 Aug 2011

NFL will become first in US to test for HGH

12:24 pm on 5 August 2011

The National Football League will become the first major US professional sports league to use blood testing for human growth hormone as part of a new collective bargaining agreement ratified by players.

The bulk of the deal to end the NFL's bitter labour dispute was agreed to last month, but certain elements still needed to be ironed out before the agreement was ratified.

Ratification of the deal means players who signed new contracts can now practice for the first time this offseason.

The NFL and the NFL Players Association agreed on July 25 to terms to end their dispute and have worked around the clock since Saturday to finalize the agreement.