Gene Upshaw, executive director of the National...

Gene Upshaw, executive director of the National Football League Players Assn., said NFL players would not object to stiffer penalties for drug violations, including a one-year suspension for third-time offenders.

Players remain strongly opposed to mandatory drug testing, however, Upshaw said in a Washington Post interview. He said the union would fight any attempt by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle to implement a new drug-testing program without negotiation.