Chad Ochocino exposed the NFL's drug testing procedures...

[Michael82]

http://web20.twitpic.com/img/147099066-a348f576eaa504d6649d39516872cbdd.4c7285e8-scaled.jpg


On Tuesday, Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Ochocinco posted on his Twitter (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/twitter/index.html?inline=nyt-org) page a photograph of a crumpled piece of paper that provided a peek into the N.F.L. (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/n/national_football_league/index.html?inline=nyt-org)’s drug testing program.

The note, which appeared to be taped to his locker, said that Ochocinco had been randomly selected for a urine test and that he should “report to the drug testing area ASAP to meet the collector and discuss the testing process.”

If Ochocinco was “not prepared to provide an adequate specimen,” he should “still check-in with the collector,” the note said.

The note, antidoping experts said, exposed a glaring hole in the N.F.L.’s drug testing program, which has often been credited as one of the strongest in professional sports.

The experts said such notes gave players notice of tests, removing the element of surprise, an essential part of drug testing. Players can avoid testing positive, the experts said, because they have time to dilute their urine, use a masking agent or attach a device to produce someone else’s urine.

“I cannot believe at this day and time, and after all the attention that drug testing has received, that they are doing this,” said Dr. Gary Wadler, an official of the World Anti-Doping Agency (http://www.wada-ama.org/en/), which oversees the testing of Olympic athletes. “I just don’t believe it — it jeopardizes everything drug testing stands for.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/sports/football/22testing.html?_r=1

[THRILLHO]

Shame Nelson couldnt use it to his advantage....


/sarcasm.

[superbills]

To play armchair attorney for a minute, though, wouldn't Nelson be able to use this to his advantage? The test is inherently insecure. The fact that specimens can be compromised jeopardizes the integrity of the whole system. I would argue that, since the integrity of the specimens being collected cannot be guaranteed to be tamper-proof, the results of any such tests should be subject to doubt and even positive test results be called into question.

Grabbing for straws much? :) Maybe, but I just want our player back in the game!!!!

[mikemac2001]

love CHad johnson

no other way we would see something like this

[Stewie]

Dial paid him to do this.

[BuffaloBlitz83]

I bet he gets fined for this too for making nfl look bad lol even though it was great thing.

[TMu11]

It's sad with such a glaring hole, people STILL get busted.

Good for Chad. Constant entertainment. Wonder how much he'll get fined this time?

[OpIv37]

Does anyone know how this actually works? Is it like a breathalyzer test on a suspected DUI, where a refusal to take it is viewed as an admission of guilt? Or do they actually allow the players to "reschedule?"

[Jan Reimers]

The Whizzinator should be making a comeback.

[DraftBoy]

To play armchair attorney for a minute, though, wouldn't Nelson be able to use this to his advantage? The test is inherently insecure. The fact that specimens can be compromised jeopardizes the integrity of the whole system. I would argue that, since the integrity of the specimens being collected cannot be guaranteed to be tamper-proof, the results of any such tests should be subject to doubt and even positive test results be called into question.

Grabbing for straws much? :) Maybe, but I just want our player back in the game!!!!

This has been argued countless times on appeal, for whatever reason they do not see it as such.

[TigerJ]

I wonder to what extent the advance notice is due to the CBA.

[more cowbell]

Prime example of illegal substances being used in the NFL...

James Harrison, LB, and former Defensive Player of the year.

This guy was an undrafted FA cut by both the Steelers and Ravens before he was brought back by the Steelers for a second time. I have a bunch of friends who live in Pittsburgh and they always tell me how this guy was a scrawny, average athlete when he first entered the league from Kent state...now look at the guy. It's my opinion (and I am sure it's not a popular one) that a very good portion of the NFL players are using some form of steroids.

before
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l3drt5pB49Q/SXoiKM1IczI/AAAAAAAAD8M/GQWKY8Cg***/s400/James_Harrison_-_Steelers_-_082402_-_low_res.jpg


after

http://www.donnan.com/images/TC09_James-Harrison.jpg

[Night Train]

Prime example of illegal substances being used in the NFL...

James Harrison, LB, and former Defensive Player of the year.

This guy was an undrafted FA cut by both the Steelers and Ravens before he was brought back by the Steelers for a second time. I have a bunch of friends who live in Pittsburgh and they always tell me how this guy was a scrawny, average athlete when he first entered the league from Kent state...now look at the guy. It's my opinion (and I am sure it's not a popular one) that a very good portion of the NFL players are using some form of steroids.

before
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l3drt5pB49Q/SXoiKM1IczI/AAAAAAAAD8M/GQWKY8Cg***/s400/James_Harrison_-_Steelers_-_082402_-_low_res.jpg


after

http://www.donnan.com/images/TC09_James-Harrison.jpg

Have Maybin contact him.

[Michael82]

love CHad johnson

no other way we would see something like this
Agreed! I love Ochocinco! He's hilarious and I love how he's sharing this kind of stuff...

[Michael82]

I bet he gets fined for this too for making nfl look bad lol even though it was great thing.
He'll definitely get fined. I could see Goodell fuming right now over this and fining the hell out of him.

[EricStratton]

This has been argued countless times on appeal, for whatever reason they do not see it as such.



It seems like the only way to beat a test is to move to Minnesota.

[Buffalogic]

The NFL is pissed with Chad right about now.

We don't know all the details on how this works, but it definitely makes the league look bad.

[Thief]

This has been argued countless times on appeal, for whatever reason they do not see it as such.Are you implying that since players are given time to get stoned or procure dirty urine prior to their test that when it comes back dirty it shouldn't count because they were forwarned?

[Hogwasher]

I have a problem with the NFL gag order on referee calls and criticism of the league. Its just pussy.