Jets running back Le’Veon Bell continued a strange trend recently of players revolting against the collectively bargained random drug testing procedure this morning. On Twitter, Bell claimed has has been randomly selected (he put random in quotations) five times over the past ten weeks to be tested for human growth hormone. Bell went on to say that he is “not doing another after today.”
Of course, while the chances of being selected for an HGH test are quite low (only 40 players are tested each week), Bell remains as likely to be tested next week as he has been in the past ten. While it remains likely that Bell was simply airing out frustration and would not actually refuse to do another HGH test if he is selected, if he did refuse, it would be considered equivalent to a failed test and he would have to serve a suspension.
Odell Beckham Jr. had similar complaints regarding the league’s standard performance enhancing drug testing last week. It is worth noting that HGH tests require a blood sample and are much more invasive than the standard urine tests for things like steroids. The blood sample is clearly a factor in Bell’s frustration.
Bell has been a mainstay in NFL news for the past two seasons. After his fallout with the Steelers organization led him to sit out all of last season, he signed a massive free-agent contract with the Jets, but has failed to live up to expectations. Rumors have already surfaced that new management in New York will look to trade Bell in the offseason.
The players need to complain too their union, not the league. If they want less testing, then demand it in the new CBA (it won’t happen).
If u don’t have anything to hide, why complain?
Or you can read the article…
Because taking blood over and over would get annoying. This isnt a quick number 1 in a cup.
the odds of being selected randomly that many times are crazy.
also that line of logic is so flawed it’s insane people still use it.
How so is it flawed? Please tell?
I assume Chieflove’s logic is that ‘if you have nothing to hide’, when stretched to its natural conclusion, means that you should allow the police to search your house anytime they want, and to hack your computer for any reason, at any time.
I have nothing to hide, but there’s no way I’m giving in that many times. Needles aren’t fun and I hate them. It’s why I don’t donate blood. I hate getting poked. So yeah actually I could understand why a guy wouldn’t wanna be stuck that many times. Especially when the odds of legitimately being randomly selected that many times is absurd
If every player on a roster is a candidate for testing that means 40 out of 1696 get selected weekly. The odds of any specific player being chosen at random would be a mere 2.36%. Obviously these tests are not even close to being conducted randomly.
That’s how the league pays you back for being outspoken LeVeon. They were hoping you would tell the other players how they get you back and you just did. LOL
Why does he league want to get him back? Did he do something?
This is a condition of employment. Bell and Beckam need to shut up and follow their agreements. Tall order I’m sure.
EXACTLY
Is it a condition? By my estimates, the random chance of him being selected is about 2.5%. The chances of being selected 5 times in 10 weeks is exceedingly small. So, if the criteria is pure random, then being chosen this often is a condition, since it unlikely to have been random.
If it were truly random testing any specific player should only face the needle about once every 35 weeks.
Bell and Beckham are everyones favorite whipping boys.
Its honestly pathetic how much BS people give them for doing nothing wrong.
I’m a CDL driver, same with me. Randon means none for ten yrs and ten in last 16 mos. if you aren’t doing anything, do it or quit.
Perfectly said Boston bob!
For either him or obj contract, you could take blood from me every day. Love how they complain about this meanwhile there are people being abused in the workforce with no other or very limited options to change occupations and keep food on the table and a roof over their kids heads and they just suck it up and go back to work each day like true men and women.