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NFL clears Peyton Manning in HGH, PEDs investigation

By The Sports Xchange
Retired Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has been cleared by the NFL of claims he used performance enhancing drugs. File photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Retired Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has been cleared by the NFL of claims he used performance enhancing drugs. File photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Peyton Manning has been cleared of allegations that he used HGH or any other performance-enhancing drugs, the NFL announced Monday after a seven-month investigation.

Manning retired after his Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers to win Super Bowl 50 in February.

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The NFL interviewed Manning and his wife Ashley, who were "fully cooperative with the investigation," the league said in a statement.

"Following a comprehensive seven-month investigation into allegations made in a documentary by Al-Jazeera America, the NFL found no credible evidence that Peyton Manning was provided with or used HGH or other substances prohibited by the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances, it was announced today," the statement read.

"The Mannings were fully cooperative with the investigation and provided both interviews and access to all records sought by the investigators. Initiated in January, the investigation was led by the NFL's security and legal teams with support from expert consultants and other professionals. The investigation involved witness interviews, a review of relevant records and other materials, online research, and laboratory analysis and review.

"Separately, the NFL's investigation continues into the documentary's allegations made against other NFL players, which involve different lines of inquiry and witnesses."

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Manning was the highest-profile name linked to PEDs in the Al-Jazeera America documentary that aired in December. The report alleged that Manning was given a supply of human growth hormone in 2011 from an Indiana-based anti-aging clinic.

Manning had vehemently denied the accusations that he used HGH or PEDs during his recovery from neck surgery in 2011.

"Angry, furious -- disgusted, is how I really feel," Manning told ESPN on Dec. 27 when asked about the report. "It's completely fabricated; complete trash, garbage."

The NFL Players Association is resisting the league's attempt to interview the active players named in the Al-Jazeera America report. The players' union has formally requested evidence to support the NFL's investigation.

Those players are Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison, Green Bay Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers and free agent linebacker Mike Neal.

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