The NFL will get rid of drug-related suspensions for players who test positive, if the new collective bargaining agreement is approved, according to a new report.
Pro Football Talk reported that players who violate the league’s substance abuse policy will only be subject to fines if they test positive — rather than having to sit out games. That includes positive tests for marijuana and other substances of abuse.
Players, though, can still be suspended if they refuse testing or to cooperate with “clinical care.” That form of punishment, however, only starts when a player has violated the policy for the fourth time.
Per Pro Football Talk, here’s how the fine system works:
For the first violation, the player loses one half of a game check. For the second violation, he loses a week&’s pay. For the third violation, it’s two weeks’ salary. For the fourth and all subsequent violations, it’s a three-game fine. While that can get expensive, the player will still be allowed to play.
If a player fails to cooperate with testing or clinical care for a seventh time, they can be suspended for at least one year. Before that, there are three-game suspensions (fourth violation), four-game suspensions (fifth violation) and eight-game suspensions (sixth violation) for failing to cooperate with testing.
Players will begin voting on the new CBA Thursday and have until next week to ratify the proposal.
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