Diuretics and stimulants such as Adderall "might no longer be considered by the NFL as performance enhancing in some cases under terms of a drug policy proposal from the league to the players union," according to Tom Pelissero of USA TODAY. NFL Senior VP/Labor Policy & Gov't Affairs Adolpho Birch yesterday laid out "more than a dozen issues that he says the league has given ground on in hopes of reaching a deal for human-growth hormone (HGH) testing this season." Some stimulants and diuretics would be "reclassified as substances of abuse," which would "eliminate player discipline in many cases since first violations of the recreational drug policy are met with counseling and treatment, not suspensions." Despite the NFL's "concession, a comprehensive drug policy agreement remains hung up on Commissioner Roger Goodell's role in hearing appeals for HGH violations" (USA TODAY, 8/27).
WORK IT OUT: ESPN.com's Adam Schefter cited a source as saying that the NFLPA has "filed a grievance against" the Patriots on behalf of former TE Aaron Hernandez. The source said that the NFLPA is "seeking to collect $82,000 in workout bonuses from Hernandez's contract" (ESPN.com, 8/26).
