1 of 3 | Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison has agreed to meet the NFL to discuss allegations he used performance enhancing drugs. Fule photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI |
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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison and Green Bay Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, all implicated in a report by Al-Jazeera, agreed to meet with the NFL regarding allegations they used performance-enhancing drugs.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Harrison would meet with the league on Aug. 28 at team headquarters with stipulations for the interview, including that questions be limited to the 20-second reference to Harrison in the video in question. Mortensen said Mike Neal, an unrestricted free agent who last played for the Packers, had not agreed to a formal meeting with the NFL.
The league set a deadline to consent to an interview with the NFL by Aug. 25.
Adolpho Birch, the NFL's senior vice president of labor policy and league affairs, sent a memo to the NFL Players Association warning that suspensions will go into effect on Aug. 26 if the players fail to cooperate, USA Today reported.
Harrison doesn't mind answering questions -- he said is even willing to face the commissioner -- but isn't thrilled with the process.
"I don't have a problem doing the interview," Harrison told reporters on Tuesday. "Come to my house. Bring Roger (Goodell) with you."
But Harrison doesn't respect the way the situation is being handled and the NFL Players Association contends there is a lack of evidence because key source Charlie Sly recanted his statements to the media outlet. Before agreeing to the interview, the process was a major factor for the 38-year-old Harrison in evaluating his position.
"If that's the case, then somebody could come out and say James Harrison is a pedophile," Harrison said. "They are going to suspend me, put me under investigation for being a pedophile just because somebody said it? I'm not going to answer questions for every little thing some Tom, Dick and Harry comes up with."
Harrison has been fined multiple times by the NFL since player safety regulations were established and was outspoken about the penalties.
He earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors with the Steelers in 2008, becoming the first undrafted player to win the award.
Harrison, who has spent all but one of his 13 seasons with Pittsburgh, had one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history, returning an interception 100 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the half in Super Bowl XLII.
