After Steelers linebacker James Harrison complained that he wasn’t allowed to tape his recent drug test, the NFL explained that it bans players from taping tests in order to maintain the integrity of the testing process. But the players’ union says it agreed to no such ban.
In response to the story, NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith distributed a memo to the players, which Harrison posted on Instagram. That memo took issue with the NFL’s stance on the matter.
“Despite what the player was told, and what has been reported, our drug policy regarding specimen collection rules does not specifically prohibit the video taping of a drug test,” Smith wrote. “There are rules in place, however, that prohibit a player from carrying any item other than his collection cup into the restroom when providing a specimen. Additionally, some states may have rules limiting a person’s ability to videotape another person without their consent. If drug collectors desire to change the collection rules, they may not do so on their own as happened in this case. They need to obtain approval from both the NFL and the NFLPA before making any such changes. They do not get to make up the rules on their own. We plan on sending a letter to the Drug Free Sport and the NFL this week reminding them of their obligations to bargain over any changes to the Policy.”
So to the long list of things about which the NFL and NFLPA disagree, we can now add whether or not a player is allowed to tape himself taking a drug test.
