The NFL has now "decided to look into" the Al Jazeera report that has connected Broncos QB Peyton Manning to HGH, according to Mike Florio of PRO FOOTBALL TALK. NFL VP/Communications Brian McCarthy in an email wrote, “We are reviewing the matter. Our procedure is to follow up on any information that potentially involves a violation of this nature.” Florio noted despite the league's comments, there is "not much the NFL can do at this point." Manning "can be questioned," but the NFL "has no power to force anyone to do anything" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 12/28). Meanwhile, Al Jazeera’s Deborah Davies appeared this morning on NBC’s “Today” to defend the report on HGH use in sports, and connections to Manning and his wife, Ashley. Davies began by saying “Let’s make it clear what the allegation (in 'The Dark Side') is. The allegation in the program is very simple, that when Charlie Sly worked in the Guyer (Institute) doing part of his training … the clinic was sending out not one shipment but repeated shipments of growth hormone to Ashley Manning in Florida. That’s it.” Davies said of the report, "This is an hour-long documentary about doping in sport. Within that documentary, there is a very short section at the end; it is the section that everyone’s picked up on, but that section follows a very long journey charting our investigation into banned substances, one of which is growth hormone.” When asked at the conclusion of the interview if she had specific evidence that Peyton Manning has taken HGH, Davies said, “We have not said that in the program. The only allegation in the program from Charlie Sly is that growth hormone was sent repeatedly from the Guyer to Ashley Manning in Florida. We’re not making the allegation against Peyton Manning” (“Today,” NBC, 12/29).
WADA CALLS REPORT "CONCERNING": REUTERS' Mark Lamport-Stokes noted the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) yesterday described the Al Jazeera report against Manning as "'very concerning' and has urged 'increased collaboration' with sports leagues" in the U.S. WADA Dir General David Howman in a statement said, "Al-Jazeera's allegations are very concerning, particularly as it relates to the NFL's and MLB's testing programs" (REUTERS, 12/28). Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, Ray Fittipaldo reports Steelers LB James Harrison, who was also named in the report, "consulted with lawyers and decided he won’t sue the network." Harrison: "They said it wouldn’t be worth it” (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 12/29).
GIVING HIM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT: SNY’s Marc Malusis said he understands in today’s "age of PED use in professional sports that nobody is beyond reproach." But he added, "I need to see more to throw the hammer of guilt at Peyton” (“Loud Mouths,” SNY, 12/28). Sports On Earth’s Will Leitch noted the “case against Manning (and everybody else, but especially him) is still pretty shaky,” as there is “no proof that Peyton took it.” However, Manning “should probably just forget this and move on” (SPORTSONEARTH.com, 12/28). In DC, Deron Snyder writes he will “take Manning at his word," as he does not know if Manning "used HGH to speed his recovery after four neck surgeries.” However, if he did, “my opinion of him wouldn’t change one iota” (WASHINGTON TIMES, 12/29). ESPN’s Michael Smith said, “I just still choose to give him the benefit of the doubt because that’s not fair to just say, ‘Well, since it is out there, we’ve got to believe it.’” ESPN’s Jemele Hill said, “I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. But look, I can’t get over my hurt. I’ve been burned too many times” (“His & Hers,” ESPN2, 12/28). SPORTING NEWS' Michael McCarthy wrote, "If Al Jazeera made it up, I hope Manning sues it and wins. But the bottom line is that athletes don't get the benefit of the doubt any more. Not even stars with a sterling reputation like Peyton Manning" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 12/28). USA TODAY’s Christine Brennan notes it “makes perfect sense that people want to believe” Manning is not cheating. But there is a “familiar arc to these stories, and it’s an arc that almost always takes us to the truth.” Brennan: “We’ve followed that arc before. We should follow it now” (USA TODAY, 12/29).
ALL A PLOY FOR ATTENTION? ESPN’s Will Cain talked about the credibility of Al Jazeera as a news outlet and said, "Al Jazeera paid $500 million for a cable channel just a few years ago. They’re owned by a Qatari oil-rich family. The price of oil in the past few years plummeted. That means hard times, that means pressure. They’re rated 104 out of 106 American cable companies in ratings. Nobody’s watching. Why are these things important? Because it gives Al Jazeera a motive to lax their journalistic standards. If we have something and it’s scandalous and it’s about Peyton Manning, is it up to snuff journalistically? Well, we can get a lot of attention if we run this” (“First Take,” ESPN2, 12/29).
