Updated Title: Lockout Over-NFLPA Unanimously Votes to Approve Deal

If all it did was to help heal injuries, it would probably be called Human Healing Hormone - - instead of Human Growth Hormone.

HgH is commonly - - and legally - - prescribed as part of treatment for small people. It makes them grow and get bigger.

Any correlation between that effect and possible advantage gained by a football player? Most people would say yes...

The players union had no real interest in "legalize and regulate" as a way of dealing with HgH; what they really wanted was nothing but a urine test for it - - because as of now there is no urine test for it. What is interesting is that the draft version of the CBA I saw related to "banned substances and testing" did not specify how they might test for HgH. If it is not a blood test, then the 2011 "testing" is only a formality. Maybe some day there will be a urine test for HgH but one does not exist now.

The owners are only opposed to HgH because that is the politic position to take. I doubt if most of them care one way or the other if players are using HgH - - so long as their team has the same proportion of "users" as every other team.

The other big news in the ratification is that Roger Goodell remains as the sole arbiter of the "Good Conduct Clause" in the standard NFL contract. There were several dozen players who were adamantly opposed to that situation continuing to obtain.

Steelers are the biggest users of HGH in the entire league.

I would bet money on it.

The players union had no real interest in "legalize and regulate" as a way of dealing with HgH; what they really wanted was nothing but a urine test for it - - because as of now there is no urine test for it. What is interesting is that the draft version of the CBA I saw related to "banned substances and testing" did not specify how they might test for HgH. If it is not a blood test, then the 2011 "testing" is only a formality. Maybe some day there will be a urine test for HgH but one does not exist now.

Well, while apparently not confirmed, it does appear the CBA will probably allow for drug testing:

NFL players ratified a new, 10-year collective bargaining agreement Thursday, hours after it was finalized, and the contract allows the NFL to become the first major U.S. professional sports league to use blood testing for human growth hormone, a source familiar with the talks told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

NFL players ratify collective bargaining agreement, which includes HGH testing, sources say - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6834391/nfl-players-ratify-collective-bargaining-agreement-which-includes-hgh-testing-sources-say)

The other big news in the ratification is that Roger Goodell remains as the sole arbiter of the "Good Conduct Clause" in the standard NFL contract. There were several dozen players who were adamantly opposed to that situation continuing to obtain.

I actually can't blame the players who objected. Goodell, an agent of the owners, is judge/jury/executioner/appeals venue. Some semblance of an independent arbitrator, at least for appeals, would be more fair. It might also help Goodell's image among players. Then again, even an "independent arbitrator" ultimately would have to be on the owners' payroll.

Steelers are the biggest users of HGH in the entire league.

I would bet money on it.

That would explain James Harrison's anger at Goodell. LOL.

I've always wondered about the Pats, for a while it always seemed that old players would thrive on that team (i.e. Vrabel, Bruschi, Seau, etc., etc.)

If anyone wants to read the new CBA

2011-Collective-Bargaining-Agreement / News - NFLPlayers.com (http://www.nflplayers.com/Articles/CBA-News/2011-Collective-Bargaining-Agreement/)

I didn't know where to put this but it is relevant to the recent CBA discussions:
7 former players sue NFL in Pa. over concussions - NFL - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-nflplayerconcussions-lawsuit)

I didn't know where to put this but it is relevant to the recent CBA discussions:
7 former players sue NFL in Pa. over concussions - NFL - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-nflplayerconcussions-lawsuit)

Apparently I stole your thunder. Merge into one thread mods? I think it's thread worthy.

This has to be one of the best parts of the new CBA, atleast from the players' point of view.

AdamSchefter Adam Schefter
As part of the new CBA, each player on a roster this weekend will have the option of NFL healthcare for life.
13 minutes ag