Frustration grows for Giants, Beckham
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J » Odell Beckham Jr. is sick of losing and frustrated with seemingly being asked to take tests every other week by the NFL for performance-enhancers.
Beckham tweeted about the tests before the Giants (0-2) practiced earlier this week for Sunday’s game in Houston against the Texans (0-2).
“It’s actually funny how I ‘randomly’ get tested every other week,” Beckham wrote. “Dear @ NFL please stop sending these people, ur takin away from meeting times and film... thanks.”
Beckham has never been suspended by the league for using a banned substance.
As far as losing, Beckham hasn’t been on the field for a win since the end of the 2016 season. He was hurt in Game 5 last year, breaking his ankle against the Chargers.
There are limits to the amount of times a player can be tested.
Under the 2018 NFL Policy on Performance Enhancing Substances, the program is run by an independent administrator. A computer randomly picks up to 10 players a week to be tested.
Players may have their urine and or blood tested a maximum of 24 times annually for reasonable cause. Offseason tests are limited to a maximum of six urine and/or blood tests per player.
Once informed they have been
chosen for testing, players have three hours to submit a sample.
The program was set up in collective bargaining between the league and the NFL Players Association.
Hours after his tweet,
Beckham seemed more tolerant about the tests, which he said were for performance-enhancers.
“Yeah, that’s like steroids. I’m looking big!” said the 25-year-old who recently became the NFL’s highest-paid receiver. “This is like performanceenhancing stuff. I pretty much get tested every week. I’ll just take it as a
compliment.”
Beckham had had an up-and-down season in returning from his injury. He had 11 catches in the opener against Jacksonville and was limited to four against Dallas this past weekend. There were long stretches against the Cowboys where he was not involved in the offense.
“It’s tough, but I think
that’s the part where I’ve grown up the most, is just being able to stay in it and know that it’s always one play that’s right there,” said Beckham, who is averaging almost 11 yards a catch. “It’s always one play away.”
While the Giants have scored 28 points in two games, Beckham thinks the offense can be potent.