The NFL’s “random” drug testing policy is not random. Indeed, they clearly target players who have stellar performances on the field. And then players hilariously post about the drug tests on social media.
Well, that is, until now.
The league has taken a step to clamp down on humorous interactions by introducing a policy banning players from posting about drug tests on platforms like X, Instagram, or TikTok.
Moving forward, NFL players will be fined for sharing drug test notifications or screenshots of texts with testers. The announcement itself was hilarious.
The NFL and NFL Players Association agreed to update the league’s substances of abuse (SOA) and performance-enhancing substances (PES) policies. Among the updates is a $15,000 fine for “recording and posting collection process on social media.”
Got that? Y’all can’t record and post yourself peeing in a cup.
The NFLPA also sent a FAQ sheet about posting your drug tests that is, intentionally or not, pretty funny: pic.twitter.com/uhGm10DJxB
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 5, 2024
No More NFL Drug Test Posts
Some see the ban as an overreach, aiming to control not just the narrative but also the personal expressions of players, who have been sharing these moments often in jest.
The posts highlighted the irony of the timing and frequency of these tests.
Pat McAfee immediately lamented the new rules in a funny flashback post, showing how he got hit with a “random” NFL drug test after making a tackle as a punter.
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 5, 2024
Here is that hit, by the way. So good he had to be drug tested.
Fans on social media had fun with the social media ban.
“No audio or video from drug testing ‘collection.’ Lol,” sports podcaster Andrew Brandt wrote.
Another fan wrote, “So, we’re going to drug test you, but don’t you dare tell anyone or we will fine you…”
Several other commenters hit the NFL with their favorite moniker – The ‘No Fun League.’
RELATED: Saquon Barkley’s Backwards Hurdle Was So Amazing That The NFL Immediately Drug Tested Him
Saquan’s Leap Led To A Test
The NFL’s new social media ban on their “random” drug tests comes just weeks after Philadelphia Eagles superstar Saquon Barkley blew the football world away with a backward hurdle and … you guessed it … got hit with one such drug test.
Barkley executed the astonishing leap over a defender in a game last month against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which immediately attracted the NFL’s attention.
Saquon is SICK!!!
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) November 3, 2024
I’ve never seen a guy jump over someone backwards before in my life. pic.twitter.com/b0Kgx6tNtP
Following the Eagles’ 28-23 victory, Barkley was drug tested by the league, an action he humorously acknowledged on the “Air It Out” podcast.
“I got drug tested right after the game,” he admitted. “I ain’t trying to do that again, to be honest with you. It’s not a safe play,” he said. “I can’t really give this a name because I have no intentions to ever do that again. If it happens again, it happens.”
Only time will tell how this ban works out for the NFL!
More about:NFL News