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Congress sends letter to NFL, NFLPA asking for HGH testing

Congress is asking the NFL and NFLPA to implement HGH testing for NFL players. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

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The United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce is sending a strong message about how they feel about performance-enhancing drugs in sports.  The committee sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith asking them start testing for human growth hormone (HGH).

"As the upcoming Olympics reminds us, performance enhancing drug testing is a critical tool for protecting athletes," the letter states. "The integrity of the games they play and the health and safety of aspiring athletes. It is time for the NFL to follow the Olympic model and start testing for HGH. Until you do, questions will remain about the commitment of the athletes and the owners of the NFL to health, safety and fair play."

The committee also wants to protect the youth athletes and their health and wanted the league to implement testing before the 2011 season, but it didn't happen.

"It is well past time to fulfill last year's agreement," the letter says, "protect the health and safety of your players and their youngest fans and guarantee the integrity of the National Football League that is beloved by millions of Americans."