Manning Denies Doping Charge

| published December 27, 2015 |

By Thursday Review staff

Peyton Manning says it pains him even to have to deny it, but, deny it he has—and in vehement terms.

An investigative report conducted by Al Jazeera news service, and now being picked up by Huffington Post and other major sources, alleges that Manning used banned substances—human growth hormone products—during the 2011-2012 season, primarily during the period when he was recovering from neck surgery.

According to the Al Jazeera investigation, Manning—quarterback for the Denver Broncos—obtained the drugs through his wife, who had them delivered to their home.

Manning has been blunt, calling the charges false.

“The allegation that I would do something like that is complete garbage, and is totally made up,” Manning said in a media statement released late Saturday. “It never happened. Never.”

The allegations that Manning engaged in doping are merely a small part of a much larger investigative piece by Al Jazeera—a multi-part look into how doping impacts sports worldwide, from soccer to cycling, from baseball to the Olympics. The Al Jazeera article claims that Manning is an example of how easily American football players can circumvent NFL rules, suggesting that the quarterback obtained the human growth hormone from an anti-aging center in Indiana using his wife’s name and identification.

Human growth hormone products, also known as HGH, were banned in early 2011 under agreements signed by the NFL, team owners and the players union.

Manning may ultimately get the upper hand in the controversy. At least one of the sources used to develop the information about Manning is telling reporters that part of the data regarding Manning obtaining HGH was obtained illegally—through unauthorized and illegal recordings. In the meantime, Al Jazeera still plans to proceed with its investigative program into sports doping, set to air soon.

In his statement Manning expressed dismay and outrage at the reports.

“I really can’t believe somebody would put something like this on the air,” Manning said, “Whoever said this [about me] is making stuff up.”

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Deflategate Becomes Cell Phone Gate; Earl Perkins; Thursday Review; July 30, 2015.

Baseball Park Intimacy: Risk Vs Reward for Fans; Kevin Robbie; Thursday Review; July 2, 2015.