NFL, NFLPA: Reid not targeted for drug testing
ByReuters
Published 09/01/2019 at 16:00 GMT
Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid was not targeted by the NFL's performance-enhancing drug testing program, according to a statement released Wednesday by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.
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Image credit: Eurosport
The league and union asked John Lombardo, the longtime administrator of the
performance-enhancing drug testing program, to investigate after Reid said
after the Panthers' game on Dec. 17 that he'd undergone his seventh drug test
since joining the team as a free agent in September. Reid had suggested the
tests weren't random and that he was tested repeatedly because of a collusion
grievance he'd filed against the league.
performance-enhancing drug testing program, to investigate after Reid said
after the Panthers' game on Dec. 17 that he'd undergone his seventh drug test
since joining the team as a free agent in September. Reid had suggested the
tests weren't random and that he was tested repeatedly because of a collusion
grievance he'd filed against the league.
A joint statement from the NFL and players association released Wednesday said
their investigation showed no evidence of his claims.
their investigation showed no evidence of his claims.
"We take any claim questioning the integrity of our collectively bargained
performance enhancing drug policy seriously," the statement read. "We asked
the independent administrator of the policy to review and produce a report on
the claims of targeting. A copy of this report, which contains personal and
confidential testing information, has been provided to Eric Reid. We will not
breach any player's confidentiality, but can confirm that the report documents
the dates he was randomly selected for testing and the actual dates of the
drug tests.
performance enhancing drug policy seriously," the statement read. "We asked
the independent administrator of the policy to review and produce a report on
the claims of targeting. A copy of this report, which contains personal and
confidential testing information, has been provided to Eric Reid. We will not
breach any player's confidentiality, but can confirm that the report documents
the dates he was randomly selected for testing and the actual dates of the
drug tests.
"The report also demonstrates that Mr. Reid's tests were randomly generated
via computer algorithm and that his selection for testing was normal when
compared with the number of tests players were randomly selected for
throughout the league during the time that he was on an active roster. There
is no evidence of targeting or any other impropriety with respect to his
selection for testing."
via computer algorithm and that his selection for testing was normal when
compared with the number of tests players were randomly selected for
throughout the league during the time that he was on an active roster. There
is no evidence of targeting or any other impropriety with respect to his
selection for testing."
The San Francisco 49ers selected Reid with the No. 18 overall pick of the 2013
NFL Draft. Reid, 27, became the first player to join his then-teammate, Colin
Kaepernick, in kneeling during the national anthem to protest social
injustice.
NFL Draft. Reid, 27, became the first player to join his then-teammate, Colin
Kaepernick, in kneeling during the national anthem to protest social
injustice.
On Reid's behalf, the NFLPA in May filed a grievance, alleging team owners and
the league conspired to keep Reid out of the league. He was unemployed until
he signed with Carolina in Week 4 but has not dropped the grievance, which is
expected to be heard during the offseason.
the league conspired to keep Reid out of the league. He was unemployed until
he signed with Carolina in Week 4 but has not dropped the grievance, which is
expected to be heard during the offseason.
--Field Level Media
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