Al Jazeera released a documentary on Sunday that claimed that several sports stars used steroids and human growth hormone, including Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning has already denied the allegations -- vehemently -- along with Major League Baseball players Ryan Howard and Ryan Zimmerman. Other NFL players in the report include Green Bay Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Mike Neal, Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison and free agent tight end Dustin Keller.
Peyton Manning’s alleged HGH use is the next offseason story that won’t go away
Here’s everything you need to know about the HGH allegations against Peyton Manning, a story you’re not yet sick of but soon will be, probably.
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Manning has already said he will “probably” sue Al Jazeera, even if only because “I’m that angry.”
Al Jazeera’s primary source is a man named Charlie Sly, a pharmacist at an Indiana anti-aging clinic, who refuted the report. He said that he had not yet been hired by the clinic in 2011 when he allegedly mailed HGH and other drugs to the address of Manning’s wife, Ashley. Al Jazeera says it confirmed that Sly was at the clinic in 2011, however. Manning said that his wife received a prescription from the institute, but refused to further discuss her medical history.
In case you thought the NFL didn’t have enough off-field controversy these days, these allegations against Manning have the potential to dominate headlines for the foreseeable future -- replete with he-said/she-said/they-said accusations and public relations strategies taken from the Bush White House, all concerning something that happened too long ago .
Get ready.
PLAYOFF PICTURE: Thankfully, there are very important football games left to distract us before we embark on an another inane offseason. The Minnesota Vikings dismantled the New York Giants on Sunday night to clinch the final playoff spot in the NFC and set up a NFC North title bout at Lambeau Field next week on Sunday Night Football. The complete NFL playoff picture is here. Week 17 should be loads of fun.
WHAT HAPPENED SUNDAY: Be the smartest football fan at the water cooler this morning. Our Sunday recap has all the talking points you need to succeed!
OH RODGERS WHERE ART THOU: The Vikings didn’t score the most dominant win of the weekend. That honor went to the Arizona Cardinals, who beat the Packers, 38-8, by sacking Aaron Rodgers eight times and revealing how over-reliant Green Bay has become on its MVP quarterback. By contrast, the Cardinals proved they are one of the most well-rounded teams in the NFL, and perhaps the best overall.
PERFECT NO MORE: The Carolina Panthers finally lost with just two games left in the season. Unbelievably, they lost to the Atlanta Falcons, a team whose offense was moribund heading into a game against one of the league’s best teams. The Panthers shouldn’t panic now, of course -- not after all they’ve accomplished and with a No. 1 seed just a win away. They also gave the Falcons a chance to join in this “dabbing” craze that all the kids are doing.
THE JETS BELIEVE: SB Nation’s Thomas George was in the New York Jets’ locker room after they beat the New England Patriots and got a firsthand look at the confidence -- note: not cockiness -- that new head coach Todd Bowles has instilled in his players. The Jets genuinely believe they can beat anyone, and an impressive win over the Patriots is proof.
ABOUT THAT PATRIOTS COIN TOSS: But as good as the Jets looked, they might not have won if Bill Belichick had not decided to kick the ball away to open overtime -- and by his own admission, it was his decision to kick, not wide receiver Matthew Slater’s. Belichick is a great coach -- one of the best ever! -- but he appeared to out-think himself in a critical moment. The Jets took the ball to open overtime and drove down the field for a game-winning touchdown pass to Eric Decker.
The Patriots’ coin toss mess to start overtime against the Jets
SEAHAWKS SEIZE UP: The Rams always seem to do a good job playing their division rivals, but the Seahawks’ offense struggled to get out of neutral on Sunday, despite tearing up opponents in the last several weeks. Lucky for them they’re already in the playoffs, but watching Rams players taught the 12th Man must have stung.
BIG GUY TD: Please enjoy the rumblin’, bumblin’, stumblin’ stylings of Cory Redding, who easily had the best Big Guy touchdown of the 2015 NFL season.
DAVID JOHNSON OFFICIALLY HAS A HIGHLIGHT REEL: We should be singing David Johnson’s praises even more than we are. The Cardinals’ rookie running back has now made our jaw drops two weeks in a row. Fantasy owners have already built shrines in his honor.
GURLEY THE GREAT, GURLEY THE ROOKIE: Unlike Johnson, Todd Gurley doesn’t need introducing anymore. His incredible hurdle over a defender reminded us why his future is so bright (even if his fumble on the same play reminded us that he is, still, very much a rookie).
MAMAS DON’T LET YOUR KIDS GROW UP TO BE PUNTERS: Rams punter Johnny Hekker decided he wanted to hit someone and took a cheap shot at Cliff Avril. He soon came to regret his decision. The next time he punted, he cowered from the Seahawks when they threatened to hit him back.
Johnny Hekker nails Cliff Avril, lives to regret it
ANDY REID DABBED, WE CAN ALL GO HOME?: Pack it up boys, dabbing is officially dead.
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