Every year, the NFL Players Association sends out at least one warning message to players, reminding them when the NFL starts doing its annual drug testing.
In preparation for next month’s kickoff for the drug testing period, the NFLPA sent out a Tweet to players Wednesday:
Annual substances of abuse testing period: April 20th – August 9th #PlayerAlert
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) March 30, 2016
It’s interesting to note the timing of this message. Testing begins in in three weeks, which gives even the most frequent marijuana users enough time to stop using the drug so that it clears out of their system in time for their annual test.
Also worth mentioning is the hilarious timing of the tests themselves, which always begin on April 20 (420), which is a popular pop culture reference to marijuana and its consumption.
Unfortunately, some players will either forget that they were warned or just don’t care enough about getting popped to stop. Every summer we report suspensions because players tested positive for illegal substances of a recreational nature.