Peyton Manning: NFL Reviewing Drug Allegations

The NFL is conducting an investigation into the allegations against Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who is allegedly using a drug that supposedly helps heal injuries faster and keep people “more youthful.”

NFL Media reports that the league announced on Wednesday that the investigation into Manning, 39, using human growth hormones (HGH), is still ongoing. HGH, although available by prescription, is banned by the NFL. All players are strictly prohibited from using it.

“The review is ongoing and comprehensive. It involves obtaining and reviewing numerous records, conducting multiple interviews and working with other entities. We do not comment on the specifics of these matters until the review is completed. We are working with MLB and USADA.”

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The investigation stems from last year, when Al Jazeera America reported that in December, an intern at an Indianapolis anti-aging clinic was filmed saying that Manning’s wife Ashley ordered deliveries of HGH. The intern, Charles Sly, now denies the conversation ever happened, recanting his story.

In late December of last year, an emotional Manning vehemently denied ever using HGH.

“Between being angry, furious, disgusted is how I really feel, sickened. I’m not sure I understand how someone can make something up about somebody…. And yet somehow it’s published in a story.”

The angry quarterback also indicated he was upset that his wife Ashley was brought into what he called “complete trash.”

“I don’t understand that. Maybe you can explain that to me. So it’s completely fabricated, complete trash, garbage — there’s more adjectives I’d like to be able to use. It really makes me sick. It makes me sick that it brings (my wife) Ashley into it, her medical history, her medical privacy being violated. That makes me sick. I don’t understand that.”

The Al Jazeera accusation came after a hidden camera investigation documentary, but the reporter admitted that Peyton himself was never directly connected to the drug, and it was only hearsay that his wife ordered HGH for him. The investigation also revealed that other professional football players were allegedly involved in drugs, including Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison.

HGH is reportedly a commonly-used drug among Hollywood celebrities. According to a coroner’s report on the late Anna Nicole Smith, the drug was found in her body during an autopsy. In Australia, in 2007, Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone was stopped by customs agents and accused of stuffing 48 vials of HGH in his suitcase.

The trainer of an A-list actor, who wishes to remain disclosed, revealed in 2005 that a 30-something-year-old Hollywood star was addicted to HGH. Although the trainer never revealed the actor’s name, he revealed that the star, chiseled and toned, felt he couldn’t live without the drug.

“He told me that HGH made him feel like nothing else ever made him feel. He was basically addicted. I told him to find another trainer. He did.”

With alleged “fountain of youth” results, numerous Hollywood celebrities reportedly dabble with or become completely immersed in the drug, which costs upwards of $3,000 per month. According to Hollywood trainer Happy Hill, it’s mostly actors in their 40s, who want to keep their toned physique and youthful appearance for films, that are into HGH the most. Hill stated one of the biggest problems with actors over 40 is that it gets much harder to maintain six-pack abs, “unless you are extremely genetically gifted.”

The league stated that there’s no specific time set for the investigation to conclude, but it won’t happen before the Super Bowl game on February 7. Peyton Manning is still scheduled to play.

[Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images]