Congress will convene a hearing Dec. 12 on science and HGH testing in the NFL. (Getty Images)

Last October, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith regarding a meeting earlier that month for plans to implement a test for human growth hormone (HGH) "in accordance with the terms of the collective-bargaining agreement ratified this summer."

Then, this August, a month before the 2012 season, the House panel sent Goodell and Smith another letter requesting information "about the status of the ongoing negotiations between the NFL and NFLPA regarding implementation of blood testing for the use of HGH by players."

On Monday, the committee announced that it would convene for a hearing, "HGH Testing in the NFL: Is the Science Ready?" The hearing will take place Dec. 12.

As to the specifics, via the committee email advisory:

"The hearing continues the Committee’s inquiry into the delay of testing for Human Growth Hormone (HGH) between the National Football League (NFL) and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) both parties agreed to in the collective bargaining agreement. The hearing will focus on the readiness of science to support an HGH testing regime. Members will examine both the science behind HGH testing and the health concerns HGH use poses for professional and young amateur athletes."

Witnesses scheduled to testify include former Bears linebacker and Hall of Famer, Dick Butkus; Chiefs Science Officer, U.S. Doping Agency, Larry Bowers; Deputy Director, National Institutes of Health, Dr. Lawrence Tabak; St. Joseph Medical Center, Mike Gimbel; Oregon Health Sciences University, Dr. Linn Goldberg.

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