Source Retracts Peyton Manning HGH Claims

Manning says he's angry enough to sue
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 28, 2015 2:14 AM CST
Updated Dec 28, 2015 6:00 AM CST
Source Retracts Peyton Manning HGH Claims
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) watches from the sideline during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh on Dec. 20, 2015.   (AP Photo/Don Wright)

Amid a furious backlash, a key source behind an Al Jazeera report claiming Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning received supplies of human growth hormone has recanted the allegations. In a video statement, Charles Sly says that what he was recorded saying to undercover investigator Liam Collins about sending HGH to athletes, including Manning, is "false and incorrect," the Denver Post reports. Sly tells ESPN that contrary to what the documentary claims, he isn't a pharmacist and he wasn't at the Guyer Institute at the time Manning was being treated there. Sly says Collins, a former hurdler, had promised that he could make money as a consultant to injured European athletes and he was dropping names "to pull one over on Collins to see if he had any idea of what he was talking about."

Clinic founder Dale Guyer tells ESPN that Sly, a former intern, clearly fabricated the allegations and Manning is "one of the most honorable and upstanding individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing." The Denver Broncos released a statement denouncing the "false claims," and the Indianapolis Colts added that "Peyton played the game in Indianapolis for 14 years the right way" and they hope his legacy won't be tarnished by a "crude effort to besmirch" his reputation. Manning—who earlier denounced the report as "complete garbage"—told NBC on Sunday that he's furious about the "defamation" and will probably sue. ESPN reports that lawyers for other athletes named in the report, including Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison, are also planning to sue Al Jazeera. (More HGH stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X