Rams Willing to Undergo NFL Drug Testing, Within Reason

The National Football League’s policy to test suspected drug abusers met with approval from several Rams who were surveyed--with reservations.

“As long as they wouldn’t wake me up out of my sleep, I wouldn’t mind,” cornerback Gary Green said.

But Green cautioned that the telltale signs detailed in a league-circulated memo last summer could be misleading.

“Football is a very moody game,” he said. “If you’re losing, that’s a change in mood right there.”

Linebacker Carl Ekern, the Rams’ union representative, said: “The way it’s stated in the collective bargaining agreement is there has to be a ‘reasonable cause.’ If someone is having some obvious problems, affecting his performance for the team, I think there should be some discussion first.

“They handle things very professionally around here and treat everybody like an adult. I don’t think there would be a problem, especially if you’re helping the individual.”

Safety Johnnie Johnson said: “I don’t want anyone to invade my privacy. I don’t think anyone should be able to come in and say, ‘Hey, you’re not acting the way you’re supposed to. I want you to take a drug test.’ That’s not right.

“There are other problems that can cause your performance to go down--personal problems.”

Defensive end Gary Jeter said he wouldn’t object to random testing, up to a point.

“A lot of people think it’s infringing on the individual’s privacy,” he said. “But we’re professionals and getting paid high sums of money to perform. Drugs and athletics don’t mix.

“But if it (testing) happened consistently, for no reason, if a guy just looked a little sleepy or something, then that wouldn’t be good.”