Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning speaks to the media as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose.
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning addressed throngs of Super Bowl 50 media Monday night in San Jose about the now-infamous Al Jazeera report that linked the star to alleged human growth hormone usage.
Clearly irritated about the mentioning of the report, Manning reinstated his innocence:
“It’s been completely fabricated what that story alleged what I did, it’s complete junk.”
The report, now a month old, contained claims from pharmacist Charlie Sly unveiling that drugs were sent to Manning’s wife, Ashley Manning “all the time” in 2011, when Manning was still on the Indianapolis Colts recovering from a neck injury.
Since then, Sly has withdrawn his remarks regarding the Mannings, stating he made everything up.
The Broncos are introduced as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak walks on stage as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) waves to the crowd as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning speaks to the media as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose.
The Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Denver Broncos GM John Elway answers questions as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak speaks to the media as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Denver Broncos Demarcus Ware speaks to the media as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Denver Broncos Von Miller speaks to the media as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Broncos' Emmanuel Sanders speaks to the media as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Broncos' Brandon Marshall speaks to the media as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Miss Universe 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach asks questions during media day as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Former Cardinals QB Kurt Warner looks above the floor at SAP Center as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
The Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Broncos Owen Daniel speaks to the media as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Former Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin asks questions for the NFL Network as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) answers questions as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Former 49ers QB Steve Young conducts a broadcast as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Herm Edwards answers a question as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Rocky the Leprechaun roams the floor as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Vernon Davis answers a question as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
ESPN's Kenny Mayne looks on as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Rich Eisen screams from the broadcast booth as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Dion Sanders looks on as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
The Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
The Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera waves to the crowd as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) enters the arena as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) enters the arena as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) answers questions as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Panthers Teddy Williams answers questions as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) answers questions as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Carolina Panthers Jared Allen (69) answers a questions as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
The Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) answers a question as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Panthers offensive tackle Michael Oher answers a question as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Super Bowl Champion QB of the Ravens Trent Dilfer, of Santa Cruz looks on as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera answers a question as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Ted Ginn Jr. answers a question as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Josh Norman responds to a question as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
The Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) answers a question as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Jerry Rice speaks during a broadcast as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Marcus Allen speaks during a broadcast as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton signs an autograph for Trae Sieczko as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose Monday.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) signs an autograph as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) signs an autograph as the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers gather for Super Bowl 50 Media Day at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, February 1, 2016.more
Photos by Scot Tucker/SFBay
The credibility of the story and its author are highly questioned, but the imprint of the allegations has been left on the Manning household.
The NFL is investigating the allegations.
During the NFL’s first-ever Super Bowl media night, Manning took the opportunity to once again clear his good name, saying he welcomes any investigation the NFL brings his way:
“I welcome it. I know exactly what they are going to find. A big, fat nothing because I know the rules, I respect the rules and regulations of the NFL and they’re important to me.”
When asked if he will allow the NFL to have his records and various documentation, Manning added:
“They can have whatever they want, but that will all take place after the season. Whatever they have to do, I welcome it 100%.”
HGH is a protein that activates receptors that tells cells to activate growth, and has become the subject of clinical research with the hope that the compound can be used for medical purposes.
On the eve of the Al Jazeera report that Manning received HGH in 2011, BALCO founder and nutrition expert Victor Conte went on a Twitter rant, which included his insistence that HGH offers little to nothing as a performance enhancer.
Manning’s comments Monday night allude to an interesting element, that the NFL may not have any documents or even statements from Manning.
In several instances, the NFL has thoroughly and immediately investigated teams or players suspected of wrongdoing. In this case, though, it’s beginning to appear that they aren’t yet doing so with Manning.