Goodell says agreement close on HGH testing in NFL

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Goodell says agreement close on HGH testing in NFL

The Associated Press Published Friday, February 1, 2013 1:24PM EST

In this Sept. 5, 2012, file photo, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell gestures to fans before an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

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NEW ORLEANS -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he believes there will be an agreement soon with the players' union for testing for human growth hormone.

At his annual state of the NFL news conference Friday, Goodell said he expects an agreement for the tests to be reached in time for the start of the 2013 season.

Goodell noted that the league and union agreed to the testing two years ago in the collective bargaining agreement. He said it is important to have testing to retain the integrity and the brand of the league.

Goodell also said he is not going to give up his authority to discipline players for various offenses, something he said has served the league well over the years.