Why was Peyton Manning investigated? NFL took 7 months to clear Colts icon of PED allegations
In 2016, Peyton Manning was under the radar for possible Human Growth Hormone (HGH) usage. The implication ultimately led to a seven-month investigation by the NFL. This looked into performance enhancing drug (PED) usage for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos legend.
Ultimately, Manning was cleared after a thorough investigation.
After a seven-month investigation, NFL has determined that Peyton Manning did not use HGH nor any other PED, sources told ESPN.
As per reports, the NFL was unable to find any concrete evidence against Manning, and released a statement confirming the same. Furthermore, the Mannings remained extremely cooperative, providing whatever information was necessary.
The statement added that the NFL began its investigation in January and conducted several layers of inquiry before coming to their conclusion. Witness interviews, a review of relevant records, online research and laboratory analysis were among the investigation methods.
“As a former player, Peyton Manning is free to do whatever he believes is in his best interest,” the NFL Players Association said in their statement. “The Union knows that he understands the rights of players under the Collective Bargaining Agreement and would never do anything to hurt or undermine active players in support of those rights.”
The main allegations were made by Al Jazeera America, a news channel no longer in function. Their documentary pointed fingers at four other players, who were all investigated separately.
Green Bay Packers players Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, Pittsburgh Steelers' James Harrison and free agent Mike Neal were also investigated by the NFL.
Was Patrick Mahomes under investigation like Peyton Manning?
Shortly after the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl win against the Philadelphia Eagles, a tweet hinted at Patrick Mahomes testing positive for PEDs. However, unlike Peyton Manning's case, Mahomes' report was false and there was no investigation.
#BREAKING: Chiefs Super Bowl legitimacy put on hold as NFL plans to launch an investigation on possible PED use by Patrick Mahomes during halftime.
Sources confirm his rapid postgame drug test came back POSITIVE and if guilty the Chiefs could be stripped of the win. https://t.co/ge4jmnF9ub
Mahomes' Twitter report was quickly proven to be false. The parody account further added that if Mahomes was guilty, they would take away the Chief's title.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy referred to the report as 'completely incorrect'. Furthermore, the league's policy chooses five random players from a team for the drug test. Mahomes was not amongst the selected Chiefs players.
The NFL's Performance Enhancing Drug policy, of course, bars players from utilizing any anabolic, steroid, or exogenous testosterone. If at all a player uses any such substance, they will be banned from the league.