NFLPA Statement

Today, you may have seen a report in USA Today in which the NFL released its correspondence to players and the NFLPA about its investigation of players based on the story aired by Al Jazeera several months ago. The fact is that the “source” for the Al Jazeera story recanted, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf2-8V0K3oM, and we have repeatedly asked the NFL why any player should have to submit to an investigation that is not credible from the start. The NFL now is using public pressure to force the players to submit.

The Performance Enhancing Substances Policy is jointly bargained for and administered by the NFLPA and the NFL, and we agreed to the Policy to ensure a clean game. We don't believe that players should be forced to respond to random allegations made by people for any possible reason.

A copy of our statement, made after the NFL sent their letter to the press, appears below:

The NFL has chosen to initiate an investigation of these players based upon now-recanted statements that appeared in an Al Jazeera report. The NFLPA requested from the NFL any additional evidence supporting an investigation of the players; the NFL did not provide any such evidence, nor did they inform the NFLPA or the players that any such evidence exists. Instead, the NFL has decided to publicly pressure the players into submission. We will continue to advise our players about their rights and hold the NFL accountable.