Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning told reporter Lisa Salters he is disgusted by accusations he used HGH while recovering from neck surgeries as a member of the Indianapolis Colts in 2011. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI |
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DENVER, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Speaking to ESPN's Lisa Salters on Sunday, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning vehemently denied accusations he procured human growth hormone from the Guyer Institute, an anti-aging clinic, in 2011 as he recovered from multiple neck surgeries -- then an Indianapolis Colt.
"I think I rotated, Lisa, between being angry, furious...but disgusted is really how I feel, sickened by it," Manning told Salters. "I'm not sure I understand how someone can make something up about somebody, admit that he'd made it up and somehow it gets published in a story. I don't understand that."
The accusations were made public in a new report published by Al Jazeera. The report cites a Guyer Institute pharmacist named Charlie Sly who told an undercover Al Jazeera reporter that he mailed HGH to Manning. Sly claimed the package was addressed to his wife.
Manning admits visiting the Guyer Institute to use a hyperbaric chamber under the supervision of Colts trainers, but denies ever buying or using HGH.
Sly told reporters he has since recanted his accusations about Manning to Al Jazeera, but the paper ran them anyways. Sly also told ESPN that he was not and never has been a pharmacist. State licensing records show Sly was certified as a pharmacist assistant between 2011 and 2013.
Manning posted phenomenal statistics -- breaking NFL single-season records for passing yards and touchdowns -- in 2012 with the Denver Broncos, only months removed from neck surgeries that threatened to end his career.
Manning says those accomplishments were the result of hard work, and that someone would insinuate otherwise makes him sick.
"It stings me that whoever this guy is is insinuating that I cut corners, that I broke NFL rules in order to get healthy," Manning said.
The head of the Guyer Institute, Dr. Gale Guyer, also blasted the accusations in a statement to the Denver Post.
"I have no reason to believe these allegations are based in fact or have any truth. In fact, I can say with absolutely certainty they are not," Guyer said. "I find it extremely disturbing that the source of Al Jazeera's story, a former unpaid intern named Charles Sly, would violate the privacy of Mrs. Manning's medical records and be so callous and destructive as to purposely fabricate and spread stories that are simply not true."
Guyer claims Sly only worked at the institute for three months in 2013, well after Manning's time at the clinic.
Manning is currently battling foot and rib injuries as the Broncos continue to push for a playoff run with QB Brock Osweiler at the helm.