A 2015 documentary alleged some NFL players had taken steroids, and now four of them are under pressure to talk to the league.
James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers of the Green Bay packers, and free agent Mike Neal, formerly of the Green Bay Packers, have about a week and a half left to talk with league officials regarding the claim. If they don’t talk, they’ll face suspension, The Daily Mail reported Monday.
The Al Jazeera America documentary also named two-time Super Bowl champion and five-time MVP Peyton Manning as using human growth hormone, but he was ultimately cleared of that allegation.
A pair of pharmacists in the documentary, Charles Sly and Chad Robertson, claim the other four players were supplied with “steroid-like hormones.” This is a claim that Harrison, Matthews, Peppers and Neal have all denied.
Harrison says he refuses to meet with league officials unless they come to his house before training camp (which already started), on a date of his choosing and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell must be present.
“I never had a bully before in my life and I’m DAMN sure not about to have one at this point,” Harrison posted on his Instagram account. “But since I’m a nice guy & don’t mind helping to clear the air in the name of the NFL Shield, I’ll do this interview.”
If the players fail to meet with league officials by August 25, they will be suspended “until further notice.”
The Daily Caller News Foundation was unable to get in contact with the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Green Bay Packers for comment.
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