The NFL's Performance Enhancing Drug (PED) policy is a comprehensive set of rules developed jointly by the NFL and the NFL Players Association to prevent the use of banned substances that give players an unfair competitive advantage. It prohibits anabolic/androgenic steroids, exogenous testosterone, human or animal growth hormones (natural or synthetic), stimulants, and related substances, including masking agents and diuretics used to hide their presence
. Key points of the NFL PED policy include:
- Prohibited Substances: Steroids, stimulants, HGH, testosterone, and masking agents are banned unless a player has a valid therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for legitimate medical reasons
- Testing: Players undergo random testing, primarily through urine samples, to detect banned substances. Testing is conducted year-round, with most suspensions applying during the regular season
- Penalties for Violations:
- First offense: Four to six-game suspension without pay and mandatory participation in the NFL’s drug program
* Using masking agents or attempting to manipulate tests: Two to six-game suspensions depending on severity
* Second offense: Ten-game suspension
* Third offense: Season-long suspension or minimum two-year banishment
* Fourth and subsequent offenses can lead to suspensions of up to a year or more
- Health and Integrity Focus: The policy aims to protect player health by discouraging dangerous drug use and to maintain the integrity and fairness of the game
- Marijuana and Alcohol: These are not covered under the PED policy but under a separate recreational drug policy with more lenient penalties
In summary, the NFL PED policy strictly bans performance-enhancing substances, enforces rigorous testing, and imposes escalating suspensions for violations to uphold player safety and competitive fairness in the league
